Tight security has been arranged at the Sawan Jhoola Mela (swing festival) being held in 7,000 temples in and around Ayodhya, following the scrapping of Article 370 that denies Jammu and Kashmir special status hence forth.
Ayodhya: After Article 370 was scrapped in Kashmir, security has been beefed up in Ayodhya, where Sawan Jhoola Mela (religious swing festival) is being held.
This festival is attended by devotees from across the country. The idols from various temples are kept on swings and worshipped. Accordingly, swings have been installed in 7,000 temples in Ayodhya.
The festival which began on July 28 and will be held for 15 days.
Meanwhile, due to scrapping of Article 370, Kashmir remained on edge as authorities stepped up security at vital installations and in sensitive areas, suspended mobile internet services and either "arrested" or "detained" several leaders in fast-paced developments on Sunday night.
Officials said restrictions on movement of people would come into force in Kashmir Valley at the crack of dawn.
The officials said former chief ministers Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti would not be allowed to move out of their respective house in view of the restrictions, while Congress leader Usman Majid and CPI(M) MLA MY Tarigami claimed to have been arrested around midnight.
However, no official confirmation of the arrests was immediately available.
"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," National Conference leader Abdullah tweeted.
"To the people of Kashmir, we don't know what is in store for us but I am a firm believer that what ever Almighty Allah has planned it is always for the better, we may not see it now but we must never doubt his ways. Good luck to everyone, stay safe & above all PLEASE STAY CALM," he said in another tweet.
Reacting to the development, Peoples Democratic Party president Mehbooba said, "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."
* With PTI inputs
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