Two months on, three Kashmir leaders released

SRINAGAR: Authorities on Thursday released three Kashmir politicians who were under detention since August 5 when the Centre abrogated the special status granted to the state under the Constitution.

The decision came on a day when the government also lifted over two-month-old travel curbs on tourists in the Valley. However, mobile internet and cellphones remained cut, with telecommunication restricted to landline phones.

The restrictions on the movement of Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) leader Yawar Mir have been lifted while another PDP leader Noor Mohammad, who was detained on August 5, was released, police officials said. They said Congress leader Shoaib Lone, having some health issues, was released from house detention last month.

“Yawar Mir was under house protection and has been going to hospital now. Noor Mohammad, who was detained at Centaur, was allowed to go home on Wednesday,” said additional director general of police (ADGP) Muneer Khan.

All three leaders are former members of legislative assembly. Shoaib Lone was staying at his home in north Kashmir while Yawar Mir was in Srinagar. Sources said Noor Mohammad was allowed to go home to attend a marriage ceremony of a close acquaintance.

Sopore superintendent of police Javid Iqbal said they had received letters for lifting the restrictions on 2-3 leaders on health grounds.

“Lone had to go for a surgery in Delhi. From the past many days, he is undergoing treatment,” Iqbal said.

State Congress chief Ghulam Ahmad Mir said: “There are some false reports going around that Lone (the district president of Congress in Baramulla) has signed a bond of not indulging in any political activity. He has not signed any bond. He was released some 15 days ago for his gall bladder surgery and has reported back to police after his return.”

Earlier Iltija Mufti, while tweeting from the account of her mother Mehbooba, alleged that those being released were forced to sign bonds.

“Reports say detainees released today were forced to sign bonds. Under what law is their release conditional as their detention was illegal itself?” she wrote.

While curbs on movement of PDP’s Yawar Mir have been lifted, party leader Noor Mohammad has been released. Congress’ Shoaib Lone, having health issues, has also been released.

MUNEER KHAN, ADGP