Ishfaq-ul-Hassan | India Tomorrow
SRINAGAR–On the second anniversary of Pulwama fidayeen attack, Jammu and Kashmir government placed former chief minister and sitting MP from Srinagar Farooq Abdullah and his son Omar Abdullah under house detention.
The move comes a day after another former chief minister and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti was placed under house detention and not allowed to visit Pulwama.
“This is the `Naya/New J&K’ after Aug 2019. We get locked up in our homes with no explanation. It’s bad enough they’ve locked my father (a sitting MP) & me in our home, they’ve locked my sister & her kids in their home as well,” tweeted Omar Abdullah.
Omar also posted pictures of bulletproof armored vehicles placed outside their home to prevent them from venturing out. “Chalo, your new model of democracy means that we are kept in our homes without explanation but on top of that, the staff that works in the house aren’t being allowed in and then you are surprised that I’m still angry & bitter,” Omar said.
However, police were quick to respond saying the VIP movement was restricted due to the Pulwama attack anniversary. “Today is 2nd Anniversary of dreaded Lethpora Terror incident. There shall be NO ROP on the ground. Due to adverse inputs, movement of VIPs/ProtectedPersons has been discouraged and all concerned were informed in advance NOT to plan a tour today,” Srinagar Police tweeted.
Omar, however, responded by asking under which law he and his family were detained. “I’m not even sure if this is actually a police Twitter handle since it’s not verified but assuming it is – please tell me under which law you have detained me in my home today? You can advise me not to leave my house but you can’t force me to stay in using security as an excuse…Please share the written communication address to me & acknowledged by me (or my office) informing us in advance of these restrictions. Surely this anniversary didn’t come as a surprise to the administration,” he said.
Earlier on Saturday, Mehbooba was prevented from leaving her home at Gupkar. “Placed under house arrest as usual for trying to visit the family of Athar Mushtaq killed allegedly in a fake encounter. His father was booked under UAPA for demanding his dead body. This the normalcy GOI wants to showcase to the EU delegation visiting Kashmir,” she said.
The house detention of leaders comes a day after the union home minister Amit Shah assured the parliament that statehood will be restored to Jammu and Kashmir at an appropriate time.
