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 :
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.
- Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) August 4, 2019
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?
- Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) August 4, 2019
As per the order, there shall be no movement of public and all educational institutions shall also remain closed.
No new dates have been announced yet.
"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.
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.
- Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) August 4, 2019
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.
- Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) August 4, 2019
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 (@MehboobaMufti) August 4, 2019
"You Are Not Alone": Shashi Tharoor On Omar Abdullah's House ArrestShashi Tharoor expressed solidarity with National Conference leader Omar Abdullah who has been placed under house arrest in Jammu and Kashmir.
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.
"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.
