NC prez Farooq Abdullah's detention revoked after over 7 months

Srinagar:Jammu and Kashmir administration on Friday revoked the detention of National Conference (NC) president and Member of Parliament Farooq Abdullah after over seven months.

The revocation of detention of the former chief minister comes just two days after Public Safety Act (PSA), which was slapped on him in September last year, was extended for another three months on March 11.

The revocation holds significance as it comes days after Opposition demanded the immediate release of all political detainees in Jammu and Kashmir, especially three former chief ministers. 

"In exercise of powers conferred under Section 19(1) of the Jammu and Kashmir Public Safety Act, 1978, the government hereby revokes the detention order bearing No DMS/PSA/120/2019 issued by District Magistrate, Srinagar," a statement issued by the UT administration of J&K said.

Dr Abdullah and two other former chief ministers ? Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti ? besides dozens of other former ministers and legislators were detained on August 5, when the Centre abrogated Article 370 and Article 35 A, besides bifurcating the state into two Union Territories.

The NC president was booked under Public Safety Act (PSA) on September 15, 2019 when MDMK chief Vaikoo approached the Supreme Court (SC), seeking directions to the government to allow Dr Abdullah to attend a peaceful and democratic annual conference in Chennai. The Gupkar residence of Dr Abdullah was turned into a jail for him and large number of security force personnel remained deployed there.

Detention of Dr Abdullah, first under house arrest, and later under PSA evoked sharp reactions from different national and regional political parties. The detention of Dr Abdullah, who is a former Union Minister, under PSA was extended for three months in December which was again extended on March 11. 

Meanwhile, Omar and Mehbooba, besides six other mainstream political leaders remained in custody under PSA while detention of several leaders and workers continued since August 5.

Sara Abdullah Pilot, sister of Omar Abdullah, last month approached the Supreme Court against the government's move to charge him under the PSA. The SC later issued a notice to the Jammu and Kashmir administration on the plea filed by Ms Pilot. 

A bench, comprising Justices Arun Mishra and Indira Banerjee, said it would hear on March 2, Ms Pilot's plea challenging Omar Abdullah's detention. The Apex court later deferred the hearing after the festival of Holi.Mehbooba's daughter, Iltija Mufti, has also challenged the detention of her mother in the Top court.(UNI)