On the fifth anniversary of the abrogation of Article 370 on Monday, several political leaders claimed that they have been put under house arrest, even security was beefed up across Jammu & Kashmir.
On August 5, 2019 the Bharatiya Janata Party-led federal government abrogated J&K special status by scrapping Article 370 of the Indian Constitution and turned Jammu and Kashmir into two Union territories.
While most political parties in Jammu and Kashmir denounced the scrapping of Article 370, the BJP, according to sources, is planning to hold functions on Monday to mark the “landmark day”.
Peoples Conference chairman Sajad Lone said this day will always be an ugly reminder of the complete disempowerment of the Kashmiri people.
“August 5 will always be an ugly reminder of the complete disempowerment of the Kashmiri people. Five years on there is no elected Assembly and the locals have no say in running their own affairs,” he posted on X.
Chief Spokesperson of National Conference Tanvir Sadiq said that he has been detained at home.
“I have been detained at home, which was completely unnecessary. I needed to leave for some work, but policemen outside my gate prevented me from doing so. This is unwarranted and illegal,” he said on X.
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti’s daughter and her media advisor Iltija Mufti said that she had been put under house arrest.
“If Kashmir is as normal as GOI claims it to be why does @JmuKmrPolice place us under illegal house arrest every year? The arrogance is such that SHO Nowgam has locked us up inside our own house & taken the keys away. Cops or new age jailers? You decide,” Iltija posted on X while sharing the pictures of the locked gate.
A PDP spokesman said that party headquarter in city centre has also been sealed.
There was no immediate reaction from Police over the “house arrests.”
Former Mayor Srinagar and Youth President National Conference Salman Sagar said August 5 is “black day” & will remain so forever.
“It’s well understood nowadays police comes to our residence’s on specific days & detain us which is unfortunate & condemnable. But what is more harassing & disgraceful we need to beg the police to allow our kids to go to school. Genuinely Aug 5 is black day & will remain so forever,” Sagar said.
“Our domestic help was not allowed to get the bread from market, kids were made to wait for long to be allowed to go to school after an argument, Police can’t humiliate entire family by detaining them for no reason. I have all the video’s available. Shameful act by administration.”v
