The Jammu and Kashmir administration has detained or placed under house arrest several People’s Democratic Party (PDP) leaders and activists to prevent them from taking out pro-Palestine protests, the party said on Tuesday.

The development comes as former chief minister and National Conference leader Omar Abdullah accused the Centre of being pro-Israel and doing little to support the Palestinians.

Lieutenant governor Manoj Sinha’s administration has disallowed protests by separatists or religious groups supporting Palestinians, apparently in line with the Centre’s markedly pro-Israel policy.

The government has locked Srinagar’s Jamia Masjid and several other religious places on some occasions during the past fortnight to prevent anti-Israel protests.

Iltija Mufti, media adviser to PDP president and former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti, on Tuesday said the party workers and leaders were being targeted selectively.

Iltija said Mehbooba, also her mother, was almost manhandled on Sunday after she tried to take out a protest. She said they had chalked out a protest programme on Tuesday to express solidarity with Palestinians but the government acted tough.

“Since last evening several leaders, including party general secretaries like Ghulam Nabi Lone Hanjoora and Dr Mehbooba Baig and even our DDC ( District Development Council) members have been put under house arrest. Many others have been illegally detained at police stations,” Iltija said during a media conference in Srinagar.

Iltija said this was a continuation of a worrying pattern that had emerged after 2019 where the party had to face the brunt of alleged government actions.

“PDP was first split at the behest of New Delhi and now when the party wants to carry out a political activity or a peaceful protest, we are not allowed to do so,” she said. “I want to ask the local administration as to why since 2019 you are consistently cracking down on PDP. You denounce us anti-nationals, although our activities are peaceful. The world over, millions are coming out to protest Israel’s actions. They are using phosphorus bombs and have killed 1,500 Palestinian children.”

She said India also stands with Palestine’s cause but they were surprised as to why the authorities did not allow them to protest against Israel. “Let us not forget the Indian government’s official position is that they have condemned Israel’s aggression. Our protest is not against our national interest,” she said.

“We believe in democracy and peace. It is our fundamental right to protest. Why is the Jammu and Kashmir administration snatching this democratic right from us?” she added.