‘This is new J&K’: Omar Abdullah claims he and his family have been put under house arrest
The police have claimed that the restrictions were put on the occasion of the second anniversary of terror attack in Lethpora in Pulwama.
National Conference Vice President Omar Abdullah on Sunday claimed that he and his family have been put under house arrest .
The former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister posted photos of vehicles belonging to security forces and tweeted saying that his father Farooq Abdullah, sister, and her children have also been locked up. In another tweet, Abdullah said that the staff who works at his residence was also not allowed to enter.
“This is the ‘naya/new J&K’ after Aug 2019,” he wrote. “We get locked up in our homes with no explanation. It’s bad enough they’ve locked my father (a sitting MP) and me in our home, they’ve locked my sister and her kids in their home as well.”
He added, “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 and bitter.”
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 Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) February 14, 2021
Later a Twitter handle by the name “SRINAGAR POLICE” responded to Abdullah’s tweet suggesting that there will be no Road Opening Party (convoy for protection of VIPs) available on Sunday as it marked the second anniversary of the terror attack in Lethpora in Pulwama in 2019.
“Due to adverse inputs, movement of VIPs/ProtectedPersons has been discouraged and all concerned were informed in advance NOT to plan a tour today,” the tweet said.
https://t.co/3Vtj1sPcvi Today is 2nd Anniversary of dreaded Lethpora Terror incident. There shall be NO ROP on ground. Due to adverse inputs, movement of VIPs/ProtectedPersons has been discouraged
— SRINAGAR POLICE (@PoliceSgr) February 14, 2021
and all concerned were informed in advance NOT to plan a tour today. @OmarAbdullah
Responding to this tweet, Abdullah pointed out that the handle was not a verified one and said that he may be advised to stay in his home, but not forced.
“You can advise me not to leave my house but you can’t force me to stay in using security as an excuse,” he tweeted.
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. https://t.co/wfWwYPiTM4
— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) February 14, 2021
He tweeted again within a few minutes, asking the police to show proof of him being informed about the restrictions.
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. https://t.co/wfWwYPiTM4
— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) February 14, 2021
Abdullah’s party, the National Conference, called the move an “arbitrary detention” and demanded withdrawal of the restrictions.
JKNC condemns the arbitrary detention of party President Dr Farooq Abdullah, Vice President Jb @OmarAbdullah and their family at their residence in Gupkar, Srinagar. The party demands immediate lifting of these uncalled for and unlawful measures.
— JKNC (@JKNC_) February 14, 2021
Earlier on Saturday, Peoples Democratic Party chief Mehbooba Mufti had also tweeted a video that she had been “placed under house arrest as usual” while she was trying to visit the family of a teenaged boy, Athar Mushtaq, who was killed in an alleged staged encounter.