EX-PDP MLA, TRADE LEADER RELEASED FROM DETENTION

SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir administration on Tuesday released a former PDP legislator and a trade leader from preventive detention, officials said.

Former PDP MLA from Wachi in south Kashmir Aijaz Ahmad Mir and trade leader Shakeel Ahmed Qalandar, who is former president of the Federation Chamber of Industries Kashmir, were released two days after the administration had released four politicians from preventive custody at the MLA hostel on Sunday. Both the leaders were detained ahead of abrogation of Article 370 on August 4. A senior police official said, “Ajaz Mir was released from MLA hostel Srinagar and Shakeel Qalander was released from the Central jail Srinagar. ”The J&K administration on Sunday had released four leaders, including three former legislators, who were under detention in Srinagar. With the release of the two leaders, the number of people now under detention at the MLA hostel is 15. The hostel has been temporarily converted into a subsidiary jail.

Among leaders who are still under detention are People Conference chairman Sajjad Lone, former IAS officer turned politician Shah Faesel and NC general secretary Ali Mohammad Sagar.

Besides the detained leaders at MLA hostel, three former chief ministers are also incarcerated. NC president Farooq Abdullah is detained at his Gupkar House and Mehbooba Mufti is detained at a government house at MA Road Srinagar. Another former CM and NC leader, Omar Abdullah is lodged at Hari Niwas in Srinagar.

However, many leaders are either under detention at their homes or Srinagar Central jail.