Centre makes first contact with detained Omar, Mehbooba after scrapping Article 370: Report

The Centre has reached out to former chief ministers of Jammu and Kashmir Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti who have been under detention since the announcement of abrogation of Article 370 on August 5 raising possibility of political dialogue in the Valley. According to media reports, a team comprising senior IB and RAW officials met Omar Abdullah at Hari Niwas Palace and Mehbooba Mufti at Chashme Shahi where they have been kept under detention in Srinagar.

“The political lockdown cannot continue forever. There has been some movement to sound out the two leaders for possible easing of restrictions on them. There is need to create space,” The Indian Express quoted a source as saying.

Tensions are high in Kashmir after New Delhi abrogated provisions of Article 370 of the Constitution to withdraw Jammu and Kashmir’s special status and bifurcated it into two Union Territories on August 5.

According to sources, Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi, Ghulam Nabi Azad and other opposition leaders will visit Srinagar today, days after the former Congress president accepted Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) Governor Satya Pal Malik's offer to visit the Valley to review the situation after the abrogation of provisions of Article 370 that gave a special status to the state.

On August 13, Gandhi said he and other opposition leaders would visit Jammu and Kashmir and urged Malik to allow them the freedom to meet people, and soldiers.

Gandhi said in a tweet, "Dear Governor Malik, A delegation of opposition leaders & I will take you up on your gracious invitation to visit J&K and Ladakh. We won't need an aircraft but please ensure us the freedom to travel & meet the people, mainstream leaders and our soldiers stationed over there." 

The Jammu and Kashmir government issued a statement asking political leaders not to visit the Valley as it would disturb the gradual restoration of peace and normal life.

"Political leaders are requested to cooperate and not visit Srinagar as they would be putting other people to inconvenience. They would also be violating restrictions that are still there in many areas. Senior leaders should understand that top priority would be given to maintaining peace, order and preventing loss of human lives," the statement said.