In anticipation of the Supreme Court’s verdict on the constitutional validity of the abrogation of Article 370, the Jammu and Kashmir police increased security measures on Monday morning. Senior political figures, including former chief ministers Mehbooba Mufti and Omar Abdullah, were reportedly placed under house arrest, along with Hurriyat chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq. However, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha denied any house arrests, stating that no one had been arrested for political reasons.
Despite the denial, Omar Abdullah shared images of chains around his house’s gate, questioning the veracity of the Lieutenant Governor’s claim. Mehbooba Mufti confirmed her house arrest, stating that all the gates of her residence had been locked. The Srinagar Police contradicted the reports, tweeting that no person had been put under house arrest.
Amid heightened security, classes at the University of Kashmir and the Islamic University of Science and Technology were suspended to prevent potential law and order disturbances. The administration appointed duty magistrates and supervisors across Srinagar city to monitor the situation. The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kashmir, issued a communication to suspend security convoys’ movement and advised VIP escort vehicles to avoid troublesome areas.
While civilian movement remained unrestricted, and the internet continued to operate, security and intelligence agencies monitored social media for potential negative propaganda. The cyber wing of the J-K Police issued a warning against the spread of rumours, fake news, hate speech, and defamatory content on social media platforms.
