Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir administration Sunday refused to give information on the whereabouts of former chief ministers Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti who were taken into preventive custody last week, hours after the central government decided to revoke provisions of Article 370 and proposed bifurcation of the state into two union territories.
Addressing a press conference, government officials also refused to specify the sections imposed on the two detained Kashmiri leaders, even as fresh restrictions were imposed in Srinagar on the eve of Eid-al-Adha.
Jammu and Kashmir government spokesperson Rohit Kansal, Information Secretary M.K. Diwedi and Deputy Commissioner of Srinagar Syed Abid Rashid Shah were addressing the media in Srinagar’s Sarovar Portico Sunday.
Abdullah and Mufti are among other political leaders, lawyers and activists who were taken into preventive custody soon after Jammu and Kashmir’s special status was abrogated.
A day before his detention, National Conference leader Abdullah had expressed apprehension that he was going to be placed under house arrest along with other mainstream leaders, while Peoples Democratic Party chief Mufti had called the development “ironic”.
Both leaders have not shared any post on social media since August 5.
Also read: Modi govt’s decision on Article 35A a betrayal of trust: Omar Abdullah
‘Anticipating violence’
Replying to queries, the officials also refused to give information on the total number of arrests made, the number of protests held and also on the figures of injuries or causalities if any since the Narendra Modi government’s decision on Kashmir.
Restrictions were reimposed in Srinagar city Sunday, ahead of Eid, within hours of the state administration relaxing curbs that were put in place last week.
Police personnel in the city were seen asking people to remain indoors or face legal action. Shop owners were asked to down shutters and several parts of the city remained barricaded.
A senior government official said the authorities were “anticipating violence”.
Kansal, however, said the administration has imposed these restrictions to ensure smooth celebration of Eid.
Speaking on the sidelines of the press meet, Diwedi said measures have been taken to stop individuals from instigating violence. Asked if the government had slapped the controversial Public Safety Act on any of the detained individuals, Diwedi said he was not in a position to comment.
“These curbs were imposed to avoid any law and order situation. Once things settle down, the detained individuals should come and talk to the government,” he said.
When asked for how long would the detained individuals be kept under preventive custody, Diwedi said, “For a year. And it can be extended.”
Also read: Dictatorial authority has been invoked and not a democratic one: Farooq Abdullah
Not a fan of BJP…but this step of removing 370 is commendable…just hope that kashmiris prosper..and people with vested interests fail in their mission..
These are government guests who lived on the poor people of Bharat. Special me, me only, me the great, me musla, special me.
Only Congress justified it as they never spent their own money. Me have all rights, Bharat & Hindus no rights but must support me and my goons.
Me is abdicated and still lives at poor people’s’ hard earned money. Why dufers are worried so much about children of Devil?
Modiji and Amit Shah have done the right thing. Article 370 was the creation of Pundit Nehru and Badmash Sheikh Abdullah who got rid of Maharaja Hari Singh. This article was used by Sheikh to drive out Hindus and Sikhs out of Kashmir by playing with Pak. India spent immense amount of Indian taxpayers money to feed and satisfy these lazy people but no luck. Now they can integrate with India and work to improve their lives. In 1966 Punjab was split into 3 States Haryana, Himachal and Punjab. There was similar anger then in Punjabi Sikhs but now they are happy and well off. Same will happen in JK. Indians should now be sensitive to Kashmiri muslim people so they do not feel hurt and resort to terrorism. Use sweets, honey and biryani to win them over and not mocking or stupid taunting of them. They should be made to feel genuinely that all of India is their home and peace and prosperity is the best path forward not Pak and Patakas.
It’s excellent news that these leaders have been locked up, please keep them locked up permanently, they have looted the Kashmiri people.
At last the people of Kashmir can have some kind of true democracy.
Lock up these cretinous leaders from these few prominent families, who have betrayed the trust of the people, throw the keys away.
Modi I do not believe in your politics, and what you’re doing in Kashmir, this is an exception, well done!
can you please tell one usefulness of article 370 ?
somehow the present government is trying to solve the conflict , may be for better kashmir, which is a white elephant for rest of the tax payers of the country.
by the way, we all know how to interpret the articles in “THE WIRE, THE PRINT, SCROLL & QUINT”.
you can fool some of the people at some of the time, but you cant fool all every time.
and, these websites will not publish public opinion also.
even my this post may not appear her !! but people are very well versed with “THE WIRE, THE PRINT, SCROLL & QUINT”… don’t worry.
Javaid, when TOI has the exact details of Mehbooba and Omar, including what they had for their break fast, lunch and dinner, how come you don’t have any details of where about. She is in Hari Nivas Palace in Gupkar Road and Omar saab has been shifted to the cottage nearby. Both of them were fighting being the same palace. He was occupying ground floor and she was in first floor and due to severe fighting, for their safety and to avoid any untoward incidence, Omar has been shifted to another place. If you need more info, please ask me.
Do they like their steaks rare or well done …
Food, medicines, essential supplies, keeping the ATMs stocked, the hospitals functioning and receptive, the district administration can do a few things to minimise hardship to common citizens. A somber Idd Mubarak to our brothers and sisters in Kashmir.