Oppn leaders claim restrictions removed in Jammu, govt says they were under 'self-imposed' curbs

Leaders of non-BJP parties in Jammu on Wednesday claimed that the administration has lifted the nearly two-month-long restrictions "imposed" on them following the abrogation of special status to Jammu and Kashmir, even as officials said these were only "self-imposed" curbs.

After the Centre announced on August 5 dilution of the provisions of Article 370, several politicians, including former ministers and legislators, were placed under house arrest.

"We were told by a station house officer that restriction on me has been lifted and I can move freely," senior Congress leader and former minister Ramnan Bhalla told PTI.

National Conference (NC) leader and former legislator Devender Singh Rana said, "Police have told me that I am now free to take part in any political activity as restrictions imposed on us are being lifted."