Omar Abdullah is set to be placed under house arrest (File Photo)
The three most prominent leaders from Jammu and Kashmir, Omar Abdullah, Mehbooba Mufti and Sajad Lone, have been put under house arrest, according to government sources. The move comes amid a massive security build-up, followed by a government advisory asking pilgrims and tourists to leave the valley immediately.
Mobile internet services have been suspended across the Kashmir Valley as a precautionary measure to maintain law and order, according to police. Schools and colleges have also been shut down, while various educational institutions directed students to vacate hostels.
"I believe I'm being placed under house arrest from midnight tonight and the process has already started for other mainstream leaders. No way of knowing if this is true but if it is then I'll see all of you on the other side of whatever is in store. Allah save us," Omar Abdullah tweeted.
Sources in the Home Ministry say preparations to put Peoples' Democratic Party (PDP) leader Mehbooba Mufti and People's Conference leader Sajad Lone are being taken as well. Congress leader Usman Majid and Left's MY Tarigami said they have also been arrested.
Here are the updates on the situation in Jammu and Kashmir :
"Especially concerned about people living in Pir Panjal, Chenab Valley," tweets Omar Abdullah
"I'm especially concerned about the people living in the Pir Panchal & Chenab Valley regions. These areas have been very susceptible to attempts at communal violence. I hope the Govt has taken adequate precautions to ensure no communal trouble breaks out," tweeted Omar Abdullah.
"What is going on in J&K? Why would leaders be arrested overnight," tweets Congress' Shashi Tharoor
"What is going on in J&K? Why would leaders be arrested overnight while having done no wrong? If Kashmiris are our citizens &their leaders our partners, surely the mainstream ones must be kept on board while we act against terrorists & separatists? If we alienate them, who's left," tweeted Shashi Tharoor.
Congress leader Usman Majid and CPI(M) MLA MY Tarigami claim to be arrested at midnight: news agency PTI
Officials said former chief ministers Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti would not be allowed to move out of their respective house in view of the restrictions, while Congress leader Usman Majid and CPI(M) MLA MY Tarigami claimed to have been arrested around midnight, reported news agency PTI.
Section 144 has been imposed with effect from midnight in Srinagar
The government on Monday imposed restrictions under section 144 Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) in Srinagar district with effect from midnight, which shall remain in force till further orders, reported news agency ANI.
As per the order, there shall be no movement of public and all educational institutions shall also remain closed.
"As per the order, there shall be no movement of public and all educational institutions shall also remain closed. There will be a complete bar on holding any kind of public meetings or rallies during the period of operation of this order. Identity cards of essential services officials will be treated as movement passes wherever required. However, there is no curfew in place as reported in a section of media," an official statement said, according to news agency IANS.
Schools & colleges to remain closed in Udhampur from 5th August till further orders; to remain closed in Doda on 5-6 August: news agency ANI
Schools & colleges to remain closed in Udhampur from 5th August till further orders; to remain closed in Doda on 5-6 August: news agency ANI
Union Cabinet to meet tomorrow at 9.30 am at PM Modi's residence
The Union Cabinet is scheduled to meet on Monday at 9:30 am at the residence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi.
Authorities step up security deployment at vital installations, sensitive areas and enforce curfew-like restrictions
Kashmir remained on edge on Sunday as authorities stepped up security deployment at vital installations and sensitive areas and enforced curfew-like restrictions citing heightened terror threat and a flare up of hostilities with Pakistan along the Line of Control.
Kashmir University exams postponed: news agency IANS
All Kashmir University examinations scheduled to be held from August 5 to August 10 have been postponed, it was announced on Sunday, reported news agency IANS.
No new dates have been announced yet.
"I must add a word for people in Kargil, Ladakh & Jammu..." tweets Omar Abdullah, after being put under house arrest
"While I've been focused on Kashmir I must add a word for people in Kargil, Ladakh & Jammu. I've no idea what is in store for our state but it doesn't look good. I know many of you will be upset by what unfolds. Please don't take the law in to your own hands, please stay calm," Omar Abdullah said in a series of tweets.
"Violence will only play in to the hands of those who do not have the best interests of the state in mind. This wasn't the India J&K acceded to but I'm not quite ready to give up hope yet. Let calm heads prevail. God be with you all," he said in another tweet.
"We don't know what is in store for us," tweets Omar Abdullah
"To the people of Kashmir, we don't know what is in store for us but I am a firm believer that what ever Almighty Allah has planned it is always for the better, we may not see it now but we must never doubt his ways. Good luck to everyone, stay safe & above all PLEASE STAY CALM," tweeted Omar Abdullah.
"Wake up India," tweets Mehbooba Mufti"How ironic that elected representatives like us who fought for peace are under house arrest. The world watches as people & their voices are being muzzled in J&K. The same Kashmir that chose a secular democratic India is facing oppression of unimaginable magnitude. Wake up India," Mehbooba Mufti tweeted.
Mehbooba Mufti, Omar Abdullah Under House Arrest In J&K Turmoil: 10 FactsMehbooba Mufti, Omar Abdullah and Sajjad Lone - among the three most prominent politicians from Jammu and Kashmir - were placed under house arrest late Sunday. The move comes at a time when the state has plunged into uncertainty amid a massive security build-up and government advisory asking pilgrims and tourists to leave Kashmir immediately. The developments have triggered intense speculation about plans to modify the special status granted to the state under the constitution a highly emotive issue linked to the rights of its residents.
Schools, colleges in Jammu to remain closed on Monday
The Jammu district administration asked authorities of schools and colleges to remain closed on Monday as a precautionary measure, officials said, according to news agency PTI.
"All schools, colleges and academic institutions, both private and government, are advised to remain closed as a measure of caution," Deputy Commissioner of Jammu Sushma Chauhan said on Sunday night.
This step has been taken in view of the situation in Jammu and Kashmir following multi-fold increase in the security deployment due to threat perception, officials said, according to PTI.
Earlier, security across Jammu region was strengthened with additional deployment of paramilitary forces, including Rapid Action Force (RAF), in various districts especially in the twin border districts of Poonch and Rajouri, they said.