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 :
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.
Shashi Tharoor expressed solidarity with National Conference leader Omar Abdullah who has been placed under house arrest in Jammu and Kashmir.
Mehbooba 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.