Call on release of ex-CMs likely in the next few days

Schemes’ implementation will reduce opposition to Art 370 removal: Official

NEWDELHI:The Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) administration will decide when to release former chief ministers Omar Abdullah, Farooq Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti and other detained political leaders over the next few days, officials in the security establishment said on condition of anonymity on Thursday.

“Over the next few days, a decision will be taken on the release of senior political leaders and other prisoners,” one of the officials cited above said.

About 800 people, including top politicians, have been under detention since the Centre moved to revoke J&K’s special status and to split the state into two Union territories in August. Around 250 of them have been shifted out of Kashmir.

The officials said that former Peoples Democratic Party lawmaker Yawar Mir, National Conference’s Noor Mohammed, and Congress’s Shoaib Lone have been released after signing an undertaking that they would not breach the peace.

It was immediately unclear whether the senior leaders will also be asked to give the undertaking, which would essentially limit their political activities.

Farooq Khan, an adviser to J&K governor, last week said that political detainees would be released “one by one” after the administration is assured that their release will not lead to any law and order crisis.

The officials cited above said the government is of the view that a few months of calm will allow it roll out the various developmental schemes and their implementation would reduce opposition to the removal of the special status.

A lockdown and a communication blackout were also imposed in Kashmir along with the detention of political leaders.

The J&K administration withdrew an advisory issued on August 2, asking tourists to cut short their visit to Kashmir.