Five detained J&K leaders released

THE LEADERS INCLUDE ALTAF KALOO AND SHOWKAT GANAIE OF NC, NIZAMUDDIN BHAT OF PDP, FORMER SRINAGAR MAYOR SALMAN SAGAR (NC) AND PDP’S MUKHTAR BANDH

SRINAGAR: Five political leaders were released on Thursday five months after they were detained ahead of the nullification of the Constitution’s Article 370, which gave Jammu and Kashmir special status, officials said.

The leaders include three former lawmakers Altaf Kaloo and Showkat Ganaie of the National Conference (NC), and People’s Democratic Party (PDP)’S Nizamuddin Bhat. Former Srinagar mayor Salman Sagar (NC) and PDP’S Mukhtar Bandh were also released.

The five could not be contacted immediately for their comments. They were released days after nine former legislators and ministers were released from detention and house arrest last week.

Hundreds of people, including three former chief ministers Farooq Abdullah, Omar Abdullah, and Mehbooba Mufti, were detained ahead of the nullification in August to prevent protests against the move.

A communication blackout and a blockade were also imposed in August when Jammu and Kashmir was split into two Union territories. Most of the restrictions have since been eased but the three former chief ministers remain under detention.

As many as 21 political leaders remain under detention. They include former ministers Sajad Lone, Ali Mohammad Sagar and bureaucrat-turned-politician Shah Faesal, who was detained while trying to fly abroad in August.

A group of politicians, including former minister Altaf Bukhari, last week met Lieutenant Governor G C Murmu and sought the release of political detainees.

The Jammu and Kashmir administration plans to shift Omar Abdullah to his residence and place him under detention there

Officials said a proposal to shift Mufti to her residence to be placed under detention there has been rejected as authorities feel it needs further deliberations within security agencies.