New Delhi: Congress leader Usman Majid and CPI(M) MLA M Y Tarigami were arrested on Sunday amid continuing tensions in Jammu and Kashmir as the valley remained on edge with authorities stepping up security deployment. Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Ministers Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti will also be not allowed to move out of their houses as strict restrictions are imposed in the Kashmir Valley from early Monday morning, police sources said.


National Conference leader Omar Abdullah had earlier on Sunday night expressed apprehension that he was going to be placed under house arrest along with other mainstream leaders, while Peoples Democratic Party chief Mehbooba Mufti had called the development "ironic".

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Omar took Twitter and wrote, "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."

While 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," she wrote further.

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".

The authorities suspended mobile Internet connection in Kashmir Valley, the officials said, adding that satellite phones were being provided to police officials and district magistrates.

Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir Governor S P Malik has dismissed speculations that the Centre might be planning to do away with Article 35A of the Constitution, which gives exclusive rights to the state's residents in government jobs and land.

Earlier on Sunday, regional parties in Jammu and Kashmir unanimously resolved to fight any attempt to abrogate the constitutional provisions that guarantee it special status or any move to trifurcate the state.

(With inputs from agencies)