No relief for 3 ex-CMs, other leaders detained since August

Srinagar, Feb 06: Though government released over 25 leaders, including former ministers and legislators, there was still no relief for three ex-chief ministers (CMs) detained since August following revocation of Article 370 giving special status to Jammu and Kashmir.

Meanwhile, former trade union leader-turned-politician Abdul Qayoum Wani, who unsuccessfully contested Lok Sabha elections from Baramulla seat on Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ticket, was released from central jail on Wednesday after about six months.

Peoples Conference (PC) chairman Sajjad Gani Lone, who was a minister in PDP-BJP coalition government from the saffron party quota, was released from sub-jail and later put under house arrest on Wednesday.
Similarly, IAS topper-turned-politician Dr Shah Faesal was also released from MLA hostel which was turned into a sub-jail, and put under house arrest.

Three former CMs– Dr Farooq Abdullah, his son Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti– were put under preventive detention under Section 170 when the Centre scrapped special status of the state on August 5.
However, Dr Abdullah, who is Member of Parliament (MP) from Srinagar constituency, was later booked under Public Safety Act (PSA) for three months. Dr Abdullah’s PSA detention was later extended for another three months.

There are still about 13 former ministers and legislators detained in Sub jail MLA hostel. The leaders under detention since August 5 included former minister Naeem Akhtar, who was also chief spokesperson of PDP-BJP coalition government.

However, for the past two months about 25 leaders, including former ministers and legislators, have been released by the authorities after they reportedly gave an undertaking that they will not question scrapping of special status of the state.

Large number of separatist leaders, including spokespersons of both the factions of the Hurriyat Conference (HC), JKLF chief Mohammad Yaseen Malik, Democratic Freedom Party (DPF) Shabir Ahmad Shah besides Kashmir Bar Association (KBA) Mian Abdul Qayoum also remained under detention. Majority of them are detained in Delhi’s jail and other state prisons.(UNI)

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