Exams postponed; Omar, Mehbooba under house arrest, restrictions across Kashmir

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Exams postponed; Omar, Mehbooba under house arrest, restrictions across Kashmir

Mobile internet facility has been snapped across the state and sources said that even call facility on cell phones are likely to be cut soon

Monday August 5, 2019 10:00 AM, ummid.com with inputs from IANS

Srinagar: All Kashmir University exams have been postponed till further order, Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti - two former chief ministers of the state, have been kept under house arrest and restrictions have been imposed across Kashmir Valley where people are already living in panic.

"All Kashmir University examinations scheduled to be held from August 5 to August 10 have been postponed", the university announced Sunday.

On the other hand, local police said Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Ministers Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti will not be allowed to move out of their houses as strict restrictions are imposed in the Kashmir Valley from early Monday morning.

Omar Appeals for Calm

National Conference leader Abdullah had earlier on Sunday night expressed apprehension that he was going to be placed under house arrest along with other mainstream leaders, while Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti had called the development "ironic".

"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", he said.

"To the people of Kashmir, we don't know what is in store for us but I am a firm believer that whatever Almighty Allah has planned it is always for the better, we may not see it now but we must never doubt his ways. Good luck to everyone, stay safe and above all PLEASE STAY CALM," Abdullah said in a series of tweets.

Oppression of Unimaginable Magnitude

Mehbooba Mufti, who tweeted about hearing "reports about internet being snapped soon including cellular coverage" and "curfew passes being issued", posted: "God knows what awaits us tomorrow. It's going to be a long night."

"In such difficult times, I'd like to assure our people that come what may, we are in this together and will fight it out. Nothing should break our resolve to strive for what's rightfully ours", she wrote.

Subsequently, Mehbooba Mufti tweeted: "How ironic that elected representatives like us who fought for peace are under house arrest. The world watches as people and their voices are being muzzled in J&K. The same Kashmir that chose a secular democratic India is facing oppression of unimaginable magnitude. Wake up India".

The two leaders were confined to their homes after authorities announced to impose restrictions across the Kashmir Valley from early Monday.

"Government has imposed restrictions under section 144 CrPC in District Srinagar with effect from 1200 Hrs on 5th August 2019 which shall remain in force till further orders", an official statement said.

"As per the order, there shall be no movement of public and all educational institutions shall also remain closed. There will be a complete bar on holding any kind of public meetings or rallies during the period of operation of this order. Identity cards of essential services officials will be treated as movement passes wherever required", it added.

"However, there is no curfew in place as reported in a section of media," the statement said.

Phone, Internet Services Snapped

Meanwhile, political leaders like Congress' Usman Majid and Communist Party of India-Marxist MLA M.Y. Tarigami said that they have been arrested.

Mobile internet facility has been snapped across the state and sources said that even call facility on cell phones are likely to be cut soon, adding that this was being done to prevent anti-social elements from spreading rumours.

All available indications suggest the locals have already stocked enough rations, medicines and other essentials to survive any eventuality even if this means remaining indoors for long.

All top officers of state police, paramilitary forces and intelligence agencies are supervising the situation to ensure that there is no major law and order problem if any major decision is announced in New Delhi that would alter the constitutional relationship of the state with the rest of the country.

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