Article 370 scrapped: Rahul Gandhi seeks J&K leaders' release from 'secret locations', Farooq Abdullah speaks to Republic

A day after Centre abrogated Article 370 from Jammu and Kashmir, Rahul Gandhi protested the arrest of mainstream politicians former Chief Ministers of Jammu and Kashmir Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti at 'secret locations,' however, NC chief Farooq Abdullah spoke to Republic TV on Tuesday afternoon. 

In a tweet, he called the move to arrest of NC leader, PDP chief and JKPC's Sajad Lone as 'unconstitutional and undemocratic.' Demanding their release, the former Congress president opined how this 'short-sighted and foolish' move will allow terrorists to fill the 'leadership vacuum' created by the Centre. 

READ| Abrogation Of Article 370 For Jammu And Kashmir And Its Consequences Explained

Kashmir’s mainstream political leaders have been jailed at secret locations.

This is unconstitutional & undemocratic.

It’s also short sighted and foolish because it will allow terrorists to fill the leadership vaccum created by GOI.

The imprisoned leaders must be released.

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi)

Mehbooba Mufti and Omar Abdullah, who were under house arrest since Sunday night, were arrested on Monday as per official sources. The arrests come hours after the Centre announced the amendment of Article 370, which granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir, and also proposed bifurcation of the state.

On Monday, Mufti tweeted, "The abrogation of Article 370 hasn’t just made accession null & void but also reduces India to an occupation force in Jammu and Kashmir."

"Today the people of Jammu & Kashmir who reposed their faith in institutions of India like parliament & Supreme Court feel defeated & betrayed. By dismembering the state & fraudulently taking away what is rightfully & legally ours, they have further complicated the Kashmir dispute," she added. 

Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday said that NC chief Farooq Abdullah is neither detained nor arrested. 

He said, "Farooq Abdullah has neither been detained nor arrested. He's at his home, out of his own free will"

The communication blackout in Jammu and Kashmir entered its second day on Tuesday. 

READ| Article 370 Scrapped: Cong's Sachin Pilot Says 'no Justification For Arresting Ex-CMs’, Adds, State's Representatives Needed To Be Involved

Earlier in the day, the Gandhi scion said that the 'abuse of executive power has grave implications for national security'

National integration isn’t furthered by unilaterally tearing apart J&K, imprisoning elected representatives and violating our Constitution. This nation is made by its people, not plots of land.

This abuse of executive power has grave implications for our national security.

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi)

(With PTI inputs)