SRINAGAR, India -- Indian Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has ordered power to be cut to the region's VIP residences, including his own, after blackouts amid snowstorms that left locals in freezing temperatures over the weekend.

The power will remain off "until the supply to the entire (Kashmir) valley is restored," a statement from the Srinagar state government said.

Abdullah's administration has faced frequent protests against the power cuts in the last two weeks, including one on January 2nd in which security forces fired on protesters, killing a student.

The heavy snowfall has also left the main highway connecting the Kashmir valley with the rest of India closed since Saturday (January 7th).