Political detainees in J&K likely to be shifted in view of approaching winter

THE 34 POLITICIANS HAVE BEEN STAYING AT CENTAUR HOTEL SINCE AUG 5. THEY ARE BEING SHIFTED AS THE HOTEL LACKS HEATING

SRINAGAR: As the winter sets in, the Jammu and Kashmir administration is looking for an accommodation to shift 34 political detenues from Centaur Hotel here as it lacks proper heating arrangements, officials said.

The winter chill has already started taking a toll on the health of the detenues — National Conference, PDP and People’s Conference leaders and prominent social activists — and the security personnel guarding them.

They have been lodged at the hotel on the bank of the scenic Dal Lake since August 5 when the central government announced its decision to abrogate Jammu and Kashmir’s special status.

According to the officials privy to the development, Centaur Hotel, owned by the Indian Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC), has submitted a bill of Rs 2.65 crore to the home department for 90 days of boarding and lodging of the detenues.

The administration has, however, rejected the claims of Centaur Hotel and argued that the facility was converted into a subsidiary jail on August 5 and government rates would apply.

The rates sanctioned by the administration would be around ~800 per day as against ~5,000 charged by the hotel, the officials said.

During the winter, temperature in Srinagar dips below the freezing point.

The seat of administration in the newly created Union territory has moved from Srinagar to Jammu for the winter months.

The officials said some measures would be taken soon. The MLA hostel on Residency Road in the heart of the city could have been an alternative, but it is now occupied by former MLAS hailing from Jammu and newly-elected councillors. Unwilling to dislodge the former MLAS and councillors, the administration has started looking for a state-run or private hotel for shifting the detenues, they said.