Reports have surfaced indicating that former Chief Ministers Mehbooba Mufti and Omar Abdullah have allegedly been put under house arrest following the recent Supreme Court decision affirming the removal of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir.
Prominent figures in the region’s political sphere, both Mufti and Abdullah, known for their vocal opposition to the revocation of Article 370, are reported to be experiencing restrictions on their movements and communications, confined to their residences. This development follows the apex court’s definitive ruling on Article 370’s constitutional aspects and its directives for the reinstatement of J&K’s statehood alongside scheduling assembly elections by September 2024.
Mehbooba Mufti, the leader of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), and Omar Abdullah, leading the National Conference (NC), have been influential voices in Jammu and Kashmir’s political landscape. Both have strongly protested against the annulment of Article 370, advocating for the restoration of the region’s special status.
Even before the Supreme Court judgment is pronounced, Police have sealed the doors of the residence of PDP President @MehboobaMufti and put her under illegal house arrest. The party said in a post on X.
Even before Supreme Court judgement is pronounced, Police has sealed the doors of the residence of PDP President @MehboobaMufti and put her under illegal house arrest. pic.twitter.com/Ts2T7yFMrE
— J&K PDP (@jkpdp) December 11, 2023
The reported house arrests of these prominent leaders come amidst heightened political sensitivity following the SC verdict. The restrictions on their movement and communication signal a heightened state of vigilance and control, underscoring the government’s measures to maintain law and order in the region post-pivotal judgment.
Mr @OmarAbdullah has been locked up in his house. Democracy? NC’s additional state spokesperson Sara Hayat Shah said in a X post.
Mr @OmarAbdullah has been locked up in his house. Democracy? pic.twitter.com/BUIGwiZNoL
— Sarah Hayat Shah (@SaraHayatShah) December 11, 2023
“No person has been put under house arrest”, said Srinagar Police in the post.
No person has been put under house arrest.
— Srinagar Police (@SrinagarPolice) December 11, 2023
These developments underscore the continuing political tensions and divergent views prevalent in Jammu and Kashmir following the SC’s validation of the Article 370 abrogation. The confinement of these political leaders underlines the intricate and delicate socio-political dynamics at play in the region amid the evolving constitutional and political landscape.