On Kashmir lockdown, P Chidambaram tweets: 'Keeping my fingers crossed'

As the fog of mystery thickens over current Kashmir situation, former Union Minister and senior Congress leader P Chidambaram has said that the Narendra Modi government has disembarked on a ‘misadventure’. Chidambaram took to Twitter to slam the Centre for its opaque operations and midnight drama that saw major political leaders in Jammu and Kashmir put under house arrest. “I had warned of a misadventure in J&K. It seems the government is determined to embark upon one. The house arrest of J&K leaders is a signal that the government will defy all democratic norms and principles to achieve its objects. I condemn the house arrests. Before the day is over we will know if there will be a major crisis in J&K. Keeping my fingers crossed, the senior Congress leader said on the micro-blogging site.  

I had warned of a misadventure in J&K. It seems the government is determined to embark upon one.

— P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) August 5, 2019

Authorities of the Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday night imposed the Section-144 of the Criminal Procedure Code, which prohibits gathering of more than four people at a time. An advisory by the Jammu and Kashmir government said "there shall be no movement of public and all educational institutions shall also remain closed". It added that there will be a complete bar on holding any kind of public meetings or rallies during the period of operation of this order.

According to initial reports, local cable TV services will remain suspended till the further orders. As per the order, there shall be no movement of public and all educational institutions shall also remain closed. There will be a complete bar on holding any kind of public meetings or rallies during the period of operation of this order. Identity cards of essential services officials will be treated as movement passes wherever required.

"The government has imposed restrictions under section 144 CrPC in District Srinagar with effect from 1200 Hrs on 5th August 2019 which shall remain in force till further orders. As per the order, there shall be no movement of public and all educational institutions shall also remain closed. There will be a complete bar on holding any kind of public meetings or rallies during the period of operation of this order. Identity cards of essential services officials will be treated as movement passes wherever required. However, there is no curfew in place as reported in a section of media," the advisory said.