BY: Abid Bashir
Srinagar: Union Minister of State for Home G Kishen Reddy on Wednesday revealed that 7357 people including stone pelters, Over Ground Workers (OGWs) and separatists were taken under “preventive custody” post August 5 last year to maintain public order.
This was stated by Reddy in a written reply to a query raised by Sardar Sukhey Singh and Tiruchi Siva in Rajaya Sabha. The MoS Home said the Government of J&K has reported that in order to prevent commission of offences involving breach of peace and tranquility , activities prejudicial to the security of J&K and maintenance of public order, cumulatively, 7357 persons including stone pelters, miscreants, OGWs, separatists etc were taken into preventive custody post August 5.
“Out of these, 451 such persons are presently under preventive detention, which includes 396 persons under J&K Public Safety Act (PSA),” the Minister said. HE said that detentions have been made under section 107 Crpc as also under J&K PSA act 1978.
A police officer told—KNO, majority of the detained people stand released and not more than 25 people continue to be under detention and majority of them are politicians. Three former chief ministers including Dr Farooq Abdullah, his son Omar Abdullah and the PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti were slapped with the PSA after serving six months in detention. Omar turned 50 in jail on March 10.
Other politicians who were booked under similar law include Naeem Akhter, Ali Muhamamad Sagar, Sartaj Madani and IAS topper turned politician Shah Faesal. Hundreds of separatist leaders were booked under PSA and were lodged in various jails in and outside J&K—(KNO)
