Four more detained J&K leaders released

THE FOUR LEADERS HAVE BEEN SENT TO THEIR HOMES AND ASKED TO REMAIN CONFINED WITHIN THEIR RESIDENCE FOR THE TIME BEING

SRINAGAR:THE Jammu and Kashmir administration on Sunday released four politicians who were under detention at the MLA hostel, officials said here.

“Four leaders have been released,” said additional director general of police (ADGP), security, Munir Khan.

A senior official identified the leaders as former NC MLAS Abdul Majeed Larmi and Mohammad Shafi, NC leader Ghulam Nabi Bhat and PDP leader M Yousuf Bhat, who is a former legislator from Shopian.

The four have been sent to their homes and asked to remain confined within their residence for the time being, news agency PTI quoted officials as saying.

They were detained along with several other leaders after the nullification of Article 370 of Constitution on August 5 last year.

On January 16, five mainstream leaders including three former legislators were released by the government from the MLA hostel which has been temporarily converted into a subsidiary jail. On December 30, five leaders were released from the hostel. Besides the release of the leaders from the MLA hostel, eight mainstream politicians were also released from their house detention on January 3 and 17.

At least, 16 leaders are still detained at the MLA hostel including People Conference chairman Sajjad Lone, former IAS officer turned politician Shah Faesel and NC general secretary Ali Mohammad Sagar.

The leaders under detention also include three former chief ministers — NC president Farooq Abdullah, his son Omar Abdullah and PDP president Mehbooba Mufti.