Lone released after 6-month detention

IN PARLIAMENT, OPPOSITION PARTIES RAISED THE ISSUE OF DETENTION OF FORMER JAMMU AND KASHMIR CHIEF MINISTERS

SRINAGAR: Former minister Sajjad Lone and People’s Democratic Party (PDP) leader Waheed Parra were released on Wednesday, six months after they were detained along with other top politicians to prevent protests against the nullification of Constitution’s Article 370 and erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir’s bifurcation into two Union territories.

Eight l eaders have been released from preventive custody since Sunday while over a dozen politicians, including three former chief ministers Farooq Abdullah, Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti, remain under detention.

Hundreds of politicians and activists were detained ahead of the nullification that stripped Jammu & Kashmir of its special status in August. A communications blackout and a lockdown were also imposed in the region then. Most of the restrictions have been since eased. The government has restored landline and mobile connectivity, and partially lifted internet suspension amid much international scrutiny.

Lone, a former separatist leader, was a minister in Mufti’s Pdp-led government under Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) quota. The coalition government fell in June 2018. Lone, a former BJP ally, was detained after he joined hands with other state leaders in their opposition to any change to Jammu and Kashmir’s constitutional status that prevented non-residents from buying property and getting government jobs in the erstwhile state.

Srinagar’s deputy commissioner, Shahid Iqbal Choudhary, announced the release of the two leaders.

According to officials aware of the matter, the relatives of the two were informed in advance about their release and they straightway headed to their homes following their release from a legislators’ hostel in Srinagar that has been converted into a sub-jail. “Last time when I spoke I was detained for six months,’’ Parra said while declining to comment further.

Parra, a key aide to Mufti who is known for his organising capabilities, is also a former secretary of Jammu and Kashmir Sports Council.

The officials cited above said more leaders were likely to be