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Rahul Gandhi, Other Opposition Leaders Sent Back From Srinagar Airport

The Jammu and Kashmir government had earlier said that the leaders should not visit Kashmir as it would disturb the “gradual restoration of peace and normal life”.
Hindustan Times via Getty Images

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who along with 11 other Opposition leaders had gone to Kashmir on Saturday, were sent back from Srinagar airport, says reports.

ANI tweeted that Gandhi and other leaders including Ghulam Nabi Azad, D Raja, Sharad Yadav were asked to go back from the Srinagar airport.

There has been a complete communication blackout in the Kashmir Valley since August 5, the day the Narendra Modi-led BJP at the Centre scrapped Article 370, that gave special status to the state.

Regional party leaders like Omar Abdullah, Mehbooba Mufti, Sajjad Lone and others have been kept under detention for over two weeks.

The Jammu and Kashmir government had said in a statement on Friday that political visiting the Valley would disturb the “gradual restoration of peace and normal life”.

It had also said the visit by politicians would be in violation of restrictions that have been imposed in many areas of the Valley.

“Political leaders are requested to cooperate and not visit Srinagar as they would be putting other people to inconvenience. They would also be violating restrictions that are still there in many areas. Senior leaders should understand that top priority would be given to maintaining peace, order and preventing loss of human lives,” the statement said.

The Opposition has harshly criticised the move by the Narendra Modi government to abolish the law and also impose such restrictions on the state.

(With PTI inputs)

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This article exists as part of the online archive for HuffPost India, which closed in 2020. Some features are no longer enabled. If you have questions or concerns about this article, please contact indiasupport@huffpost.com.