Srinagar: CPI(M) leader Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami and Iltija Mufti, daughter of former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti, on Friday welcomed the release of NC president Dr Farooq Abdullah from detention under Public Safety Act (PSA) after over seven months.

“The decision of Jammu and Kashmir administration to revoke the Public Safety Act (PSA) of National Conference (NC) president Dr Farooq Abdullah, is a step to correct one wrong among many wrongs,” Mr Targami said in a statement issued here on Friday.

He said though late, the decision to revoke the PSA of Dr Abdullah is welcome. “The Government must also release political, leaders, activists and civil society members, who were detained arbitrarily, after August 5, 2019. The politicians were placed under detention because of political vendetta by the BJP government at the Center,” he said.

He said some of the detainees were shifted outside J&K jails and they are still languishing there. “The cases of all the detainees in Kashmir must be reviewed. The curbs on democratic activities which have been going on till August 5 last year, need to be lifted immediately,” he said.

“To restore the political activities, the government must create conducive atmosphere and release of detainees is a must. There is no political activity in J&K right now, so democracy remains suspended. The curbs on assembly of people and other activities need to be lifted immediately. Some curbs on internet, which are still in place need to be lifted immediately,” he added.

“Today as Dr Farooq Abdullahs disgraceful detention comes to an end, I hope political detainees including my mother & young boys jailed outside J&K are released immediately. Their detention is a blot on democratic credentials of this country,” Miss Mufti, who is handling the twitter handle of her mother, wrote.

Srinagar, Mar 13: Two drug peddlers were on Friday booked under Public Safety Act (PSA) in central Kashmir district of Budgam.

A police official said that the duo, identified as Imtiyaz Ahmad Pandith and Mohammad Amin Dar, both residents of Chek Kawoosa, were earlier booked by Police Station Magam under provisions of NDPS act.

“A huge quantity of banned contraband narcotic and psychotropic substances were recovered from their possession,” he said.

He said both being habitual drug peddlers were selling banned narcotic and psychotropic substances to youth of the area thereby ruining the life of young generation. “To curb them from such activities both were booked under PSA,” he said.

JAMMU, MARCH 13: The Government Friday informed that 159 persons have completed their 28-day surveillance period and, so far, only two cases have been tested positive in Jammu and Kashmir.

According to the daily Media Bulletin on novel coronavirus (COVID-19), 1743 travellers and persons in contact with suspected cases have been put under surveillance while as 1485 persons are under home quarantine.

Persons who are in hospital quarantine stand at 18 and 81 persons are under home surveillance.

Further, the Bulletin said that 85 samples have been sent for testing, of which 77 tested as negative and only two cases have tested positive, so far while as reports of six cases are awaited till March 13, 2020.

As per the latest travel advisory issued by the Central Government, all travellers having travel history to coronavirus affected countries are advised to undergo self-imposed quarantine for a period of 14 days from the date of their arrival.

A home quarantined person has been advised to stay in a well-ventilated single-room preferably with an attached/separate toilet. Besides stay away from elderly people, pregnant women, children and persons with co-morbidities within the household, the advisory said.

Home quarantined persons should also restrict his/her movement within the house and under no circumstances attend any social/religious gatherings like weddings and condolences.

“Follow public health measures as per guidelines issued by Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, GoI as this is for the benefit of his/her relatives, friends and population in general,” the advisory reads.

The Government has once again urged all social, religious and political organizations to avoid large gatherings. The general public is strongly advised to avoid going to gymnasiums and swimming pools.

“There is no need to panic, the public is advised to maintain social distancing; avoid un-necessary travel and use of public transport; and also take basic precautions including personal hygiene, frequent handwashing with soap and observing coughing and sneezing etiquettes,” the government advisory said.

Anyone with fever, cough and difficulty in breathing has been urged to seek medical care at the earliest.

Srinagar: Encounter broke out between security forces  and militants in Shutloo area of Rafiabad in north Kashmirs Baramulla district on  Friday afternoon.

Reports said  that joint team of security forces launched the cordon and search operation  (CASO) in the area following the inputs of presence of militants in the area.

The militant who was killed in the gunfight was indentified as Mudasir Ahmad Bhat S/o Sonullah Bhat resident of Shultloo and he has joined the militant ranks few days back.