This archive report was first published on 6 August 2019.
On August 5, 2019, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government made a historic but contentious move to revoke Kashmir's special autonomy, sparking widespread protests and a security clampdown in the region.
As part of the crackdown, three prominent Kashmiri politicians - former chief ministers Mehbooba Mufti and Omar Abdullah, along with regional party leader Sajad Lone - were initially placed under house arrest on August 4, 2019.
However, on August 5, 2019, a court order allowed the authorities to transfer the trio to an official guest house, citing concerns that their activities could lead to a breach of peace and a serious law and order situation.
"Your activities are likely to cause breach of peace keeping into consideration your recent activities that may likely lead to a serious law and order situation," the court order stated.
The move was part of a broader effort to quell dissent in Kashmir, which has been under lockdown since August 5, 2019, with phone and internet links cut and thousands of troops enforcing a curfew.
India's decision to revoke Kashmir's special status, which had been in place since 1947, was met with widespread criticism, including from Pakistan, which immediately condemned the move.
"Pakistan will exercise all possible options to counter the illegal steps," the country's foreign ministry said in a statement on August 5, 2019.
