Uncertainty prevailed in Jammu and Kashmir after the government imposed Section 144 and several other restrictions in the state on Sunday night. Mobile, broadband and landline services have reportedly been snapped as the Centre is scheduled to hold an important Cabinet meeting at 9.30 am on Monday. Prominent political leaders like Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti have been put under house arrest, as per their tweets on Sunday evening.
"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. 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. However, there is no curfew in place as reported in a section of media," an official statement from the government said.
Political leaders like Congress' Usman Majid and Communist Party of India-Marxist MLA M.Y. Tarigami said that they have been arrested, while police sources said that former Chief Ministers Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti will be under house arrest.
I believe I’m being placed under house arrest from midnight tonight & 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 (@OmarAbdullah) August 4, 2019
Heavy deployments of local police, along with contingents of paramilitary forces, will fan out so that they are in place when the loudspeaker-mounted police vehicles make the announcement early morning.
All universities in the Valley have ordered the cancellation of classes, work and exams scheduled on Monday without announcing any future dates for the same.
Mobile internet facility was been snapped across the state and sources said that even call facility was cut, adding that this was being done to prevent anti-social elements from spreading rumours.
Jammu & Kashmir: Security tightened in Srinagar in view of the imposition of section 144 CrPC from midnight 5th August. pic.twitter.com/qErNGidUDi
— ANI (@ANI) August 5, 2019
All police stations, district and sector magistrates deputed on law and order duties have been provided satellite phones to maintain official communications.
Service provider BSNL is offering satellite phones to media persons at Rs one lakh a piece to file stories from the Valley.
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.
Meanwhile, District Magistrates across the Valley, worried about the uncontrolled rush of buyers at petrol pumps, on Sunday imposed restrictions on sales.