BJP leader Arun Jaitley was today detained as he arrived at the airport here on his way to communal violence-hit Kishtwar, which was made out of bounds for political leaders by J&K government.
BJP Rajya Sabha MP from Punjab Avinash Rai Khanna, who was to accompany Jaitley to Kishtwar, was also detained by police while he was trying to enter Kathua this morning while PDP leader Mehbooba Mufti claimed she was prevented from leaving her house in Srinagar for a visit to the violence affected district in Jammu region.
Led by J&K BJP President Jugal Kishore, BJP workers, who had come to receive Jaitley at the Jammu airport, held a protest against his detention.
“Jaitley has been detained at Jammu airport soon after his arrival from New Delhi,” Divisional Commissioner Jammu, Shantmanu, told PTI.
“He will not be allowed to visit Kishtwar in view of the sensitive situation and we are pleading with him from return,” the officer said.
Curfew has been clamped in Kishtwar, 226 kms from here, and adjoining districts in Jammu region after Friday’s communal violence left two persons dead and scores of others injured.
Khanna was detained while he was trying to enter Kathua district along with his supporters in Lakhanpur belt this morning, the official said adding he was urged to return in view of the prevailing situation in Jammu and Kashmir.
Jaitley along with Khanna and state BJP President Jugal Kishore was due to visit Kishtwar area of Jammu for an on the spot assessment of the situation.
Kishore along with over 30 state leaders and activists shouted anti-government slogans while protesting Jaitley’s detention.
PDP leader Mehbooba Mufti said, “a police team has been deployed outside the main gate of my residence and we are not being allowed to leave the premises.”