Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has dismissed claims made by the National Conference (NC) and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) about the alleged house arrest of prominent Jammu and Kashmir leaders as “baseless.”
The National Conference alleged that senior leader Omar Abdullah was confined to his residence before the Supreme Court’s hearing on the viability of abrogating Article 370. Additionally, the PDP asserted that their party chief, Mehbooba Mufti, was placed under house arrest.
Early this morning, JKNC VP @OmarAbdullah was locked up inside his house. What a shame! pic.twitter.com/tZRQnDIcn1
— JKNC (@JKNC_) December 11, 2023
In response to these allegations, PDP and NC representatives took to social media, sharing images and posts highlighting what they labeled as the “illegal house arrests” of their leaders. However, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha denied these claims, stating, “Neither anyone has been put under house arrest, nor anyone has been arrested.”
Even before Supreme Court judgement is pronounced, Police has sealed the doors of the residence of PDP President @MehboobaMufti and put her under illegal house arrest. pic.twitter.com/Ts2T7yFMrE
— J&K PDP (@jkpdp) December 11, 2023
Furthermore, former CM Mehbooba Mufti questioned the LG’s denial, pointing out the presence of chains on her residence’s gate and suggesting police intervention. She questioned whether the authorities were unaware of police actions or were deliberately dishonest about the situation.
No person has been put under house arrest.
— Srinagar Police (@SrinagarPolice) December 11, 2023
Meanwhile, officials reported that police personnel barred journalists from gathering near the residences of NC president Farooq Abdullah and vice president Omar Abdullah in Gupkar. Journalists were denied access, raising concerns about restricted press freedom in the region during this period of heightened political sensitivity.
These conflicting narratives underscore the ongoing tensions and uncertainties surrounding the status and movements of key political figures in Jammu and Kashmir, emphasizing the need for clarity and transparency regarding their freedom of movement and access to the public and media.