Jammu and Kashmir Police, on the 5th of August, arrested Mehbooba Mufti, the President of the Jammu and Kashmir People’s Democratic Party (PDP.)
The arrest was made after the Office of Executive Magistrate 1st Class of Srinagar issued a notice regarding the detention of Mehbooba Mufti.
In his order, the Executive Magistrate said, “Your (Mufti) activities are likely to cause a breach of peace keeping into consideration your recent activities that may likely lead to serious law and order situation and breach of peace and tranquillity in Kashmir.”
Apart from Ms. Mufti, it is said the police also arrested Omar Abdullah, the Vice President of the National Conference and Sajjad Ghani Lone, a political leader.
All the three leaders were taken to Hari Niwas Guest House, where they will be under police custody until further orders.
The 3 leaders were arrested after Amit Shah, the Home Minister of India, revoked Article 370 of the Constitution of India.
After the Government of India (GoI) announced the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir, Mehbooba Mufti criticised them and protested against the decision.
Ms. Mufti said, “Today marks the darkest day in Indian democracy. The decision of J&K leadership to reject 2 nation theory in 1947 & align with India has backfired. Unilateral decision of GoI to scrap Article 370 is illegal & unconstitutional which will make India an occupational force in Jammu and Kashmir (sic.)”
The Executive Magistrate said, “Keeping into consideration the present situation in Kashmir…I do hereby immediately order your detention.”
After the arrest of Mehbooba Mufti, her daughter Iltija Javed reached out to The Wire, a news website and spoke about the situation in Jammu and Kashmir. She claimed the action of detention was a step to break the spirit of Mehbooba Mufti.
As of now, the GoI also imposed Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) in Jammu and Kashmir. Communication, mobile network and Internet services were also suspended in the State.
As many as 46,000 troops are on high alert in Kashmir Valley and the sensitive areas of Jammu and Kashmir.
Stay tuned for further updates.
