Omar apprehends house arrest, Mehbooba slams Centre

Srinagar, Aug 5 (IANS) National Conference leader Omar Abdullah on Sunday night expressed apprehensions that he was going to be placed under house arrest along with other mainstream leaders, while PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti called the development "ironic".

"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.

"To the people of Kashmir, we don't know what is in store for us but I am a firm believer that what ever Almighty Allah has planned it is always for the better, we may not see it now but we must never doubt his ways. Good luck to everyone, stay safe & above all PLEASE STAY CALM," Abdullah, a former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister, said in a series of tweets.

Peoples Democratic Party chief and former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, who tweeted about hearing "reports about internet being snapped soon including cellular coverage" and "curfew passes being issued", posted: "God knows what awaits us tomorrow. It's going to be a long night."

"In such difficult times, I'd like to assure our people that come what may, we are in this together & will fight it out. Nothing should break our resolve to strive for what's rightfully ours."

Subsequently, Mehbooba Mufti tweeted: "How ironic that elected representatives like us who fought for peace are under house arrest. The world watches as people & their voices are being muzzled in J&K. The same Kashmir that chose a secular democratic India is facing oppression of unimaginable magnitude. Wake up India".