NC, JKNPP urge govt to release detained political leaders in J&K

JAMMU: The National Conference (NC) on Tuesday urged the government to release all political leaders being detained in Jammu and Kashmir, so as to allow political activities in order to normalise the situation.

“November 5 marks three months since the Centre abrogated the special status given to Jammu and Kashmir under Article 370 and its bifurcation into two union territories as also the unprecedented lockdown on communication and civil liberties,” the NC said in the statement.

The party said that more than 90 days later, things that people in the rest of the country take for granted like internet and unhindered access to communication, are being denied to Kashmiri people.

“Hundreds, if not thousands of people have still been detained, including many in jails outside J&K, putting many families through enormous hardship,” it said, adding that even basic SMS facilities were not being allowed.

“We urge the government to take urgent steps to normalise the situation and allow democratic activity to take place with the release of all mainstream political leaders detained since August 5,” the party said.

NC leaders and former CMs Farooq Abdullah and Omar Abdullah, along with PDP chief and another former CM Mehbooba Mufti continued to be under detention in Jammu and Kashmir since August 5.

CONFINEMENT CAN’T GO BEYOND 90 DAYS: JKNPP

Chief patron of the Jammu and Kashmir National Panthers Party (JKNPP), Bhim Singh also urged the President to immediately intervene in the matter to ensure that rule of law returns back in J&K.

“The law does not allow confinement of any person (even non-citizen) to go beyond 90 days and all the prisoners who have been in detention without trial or FIR cannot be lodged any longer under the law. It is interesting that the Centre has to clear a hotel bill of ₹.2.63 crore in Kashmir for looking after 31 political prisoners till this day,” he said.