SRINAGAR: Peoples Conference (PC) chairman Sajad Gani Lone and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader Waheed-ur-Rehman Parra were on Wednesday released after remaining under detention for 6 months in the summer capital, Srinagar as the centre scrapped Article 370 and Article 35 A, besides bifurcated the state into two Union Territories (UTs) on August 5.
With this, eight detained leaders were released from MLA hostel, which was converted into sub-jail, since Sunday
Official sources said that Mr Lone and Mr Parra were released from MLA hostel on Wednesday afternoon. Mr Lone was a minister in PDP-BJP coalition government from the quota of the saffron party.
However, Mr Parra said that he has been once again placed under house arrest at his residence in Srinagar.
On Tuesday, PDP MLA Aijaz Ahmad Mir and trade leader Shakeel Ahmed Qalandar, who is former president of the Federation Chamber of Industries Kashmir, were released. Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader Mohammad Yusuf Bhat, three National Conference (NC) leaders — Abdul Majeed Larmi, Mohammad Shafi and Ghulam Nabi Bhat — were released on Sunday from the hostel, where now 15 politicians remained under detention since August 5.
Meanwhile, former minister Abdul Haq Khan, former Congress MLA Haji Abdul Rasheed, senior NC leader Nazir Ahmad Gurezi and Peoples Conference leader?Mohammad Abbas Wani were released last month.
The authorities have been releasing politicians in phased manner. However, sources said that the politicians before release have to give undertaking assuring authorities that they would not indulge in any activity that will hamper law and order.
Hundreds of people, including politicians, activists, separatists and business association leaders, were detained to ‘maintain law and order’ after centre abrogated special status of the state. Three former chief ministers – Farooq Abdullah, Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti – were detained. Former IAS topper turned politician Dr Shah Faesal and former minister Naeem Akhtar also remained under detention. Surprisingly no detained leader has challenged his detention.
Dr Farooq, who was in September slapped with Public Safety Act (PSA), remained under detention at his Srinagar residence while Omar and Mehbooba have been lodged in separate accommodations in the city.
