No respite from detention for Omar, Mufti in sight

Srinagar: Even as the Jammu and Kashmir administration is gradually releasing the mainstream politicians, two former chief ministers, Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti’s detention may be extended.

Sources say that authorities could extend the detention of Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti, whose custody under section 107 of CRPC had lapsed.

According to sources, deliberations are on whether to continue with the section 107 or slap the Public Safety Act (PSA) on both of them. Same is the case with Shah Faesal, the former IAS officer turned politician, who has also been in detention for months now.

After the release of the prominent mainstream politicians Sajad Lone, president of People’s Conference and PDP leader Waheed Parra on Wednesday, sources said all other detained leaders would also be released by the month end.

More than three dozen leaders were detained after the abrogation of Article 370, but most of them have been released now on the Supreme Court’s direction.

The number of people who are in detention now is 13.

Farooq Abdullah has been detained at his home at Gupkar road in Srinagar, which has been designated as a sub jail.

Omar Abdullah is detained at Hari Niwas and Mehbooba Mufti has been kept in a government building on the Maulana Azad Road.

A total of 35 mainstream politicians were moved from the Centaur hotel on ther banks of the Dal lake to the MLA hostel in November 2019.

IANS