Srinagar, Dec 28: Authorities have placed senior political figures under house arrest in Srinagar ahead of a proposed student protest against the existing reservation policy.
Iltija Mufti said she was confined to her residence in Srinagar, claiming that security personnel were deployed to prevent her movement. In a post on X, she stated that like several others, she had been placed under house arrest and questioned the grounds under which the restrictions were imposed.
She alleged that a contingent of female police personnel had been stationed at her gate to physically stop her from stepping out, describing the move as reflective of what she termed insecurity and paranoia on the part of security agencies. Referring to the situation as “normalcy” in Naya Kashmir, Mufti sought an explanation from the authorities for the action taken against her.
Meanwhile, legislator Waheed Parra was also placed under house arrest, sources said. Both leaders were scheduled to participate in a student-led protest against reservation policies in the Union Territory.
The protest was being organized by students from the Open Merit category, who are demanding rationalization of the reservation framework. They argue that the current system has led to imbalance and adversely impacted merit-based opportunities, particularly in competitive examinations and admissions.
Earlier in the day, Member of Parliament Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi was also placed under house detention, preventing him from leading the proposed march. Students had planned to assemble in Srinagar and march peacefully to highlight their demands.
Officials have maintained that the matter related to reservation is under consideration, with students claiming they were informed that the file is currently lying with the Lieutenant Governor’s office.
Security arrangements were intensified across Srinagar to prevent any assembly, while no untoward incident was reported. [KNT]