'Fundamental rights suspended': Mehbooba Mufti slams Home Minister Amit Shah, spars with police over 'house arrest' claim

Srinagar: Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti lashed out at Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday, contending that she had been put under house arrest. The PDP chief said that her 'fundamental rights had been suspended' and accused the police of 'lying through their teeth' about the situation.

"While Home Minister is going around Kashmir beating drums of normalcy, I am under house arrest for simply wanting to visit Pattan for a worker’s wedding. If an ex Chief Minister’s fundamental rights can be suspended so easily, one can't even imagine the plight of a commoner," she tweeted on Wednesday morning, sharing a picture of a padlocked gate.

The Srinagar Police was quick to respond, contending that no such order had been issued by them.

"The picture tweeted by her is of inside of the gate with own lock of residents who stay in the bunglow. There is no lock or any restrictions. She is free to travel," the official Twitter handle responded.

"I was informed last night by SP Baramulla Rayees Mohammad Bhat that I wouldn’t be allowed to travel to Pattan. Today Jammu and Kashmir Police have themselves locked my gates from inside and are now lying through their teeth. Sad that law enforcement agencies are brazenly trying to cover up their tracks," came the retort from Mufti.

The Home Minister is presently on a three-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir and is slated to address a massive rally in Baramulla district later today. The BJP has said Shah's Baramulla rally will be historic. Security has been tightened in the valley for the HM's visit. Officials said multi-tier security has been put in place and drones are being used for aerial surveillance as well.