Peoples Conference (PC) chief Sajad Lone was released ahead of Id-ul-Azha on Friday after 360 days of detention. However, the detention of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president and former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti was extended by three months.
“Finally, five days short of a year I am a free man. Jail was not a new experience for me. Earlier ones were harsh... But this was psychologically draining. Much to share hopefully soon,” Mr. Lone, a former Minister and son of assassinated leader Abdul Ghani Lone, said.
Also read | Former J&K Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti shifted to residence
Mr. Lone was one of the signatories of the Gupkar Declaration, a statement signed by most of the regional parties on August 4 last year “to pledge a joint fight to protect J&K’s special status”.
Ms. Mufti, one of the architects of the declaration, however, will not see freedom soon, with her detention extended under the Public Safety Act (PSA) till November.
Both Ms. Mufti and Mr. Lone were arrested on August 4-5 last year as the Centre revoked J&K’s special status. Over 230 mainstream leaders and activists were arrested during the period of political change. Most of the leaders have been released.
“In exercise of powers conferred under Section 8(1) and Section 18 of the J&K PSA, the government hereby directs the period of detention of Ms. Mufti be extended for a further period of three months and she may be lodged in the subsidiary jail, Fair View, Gupar Road, Srinagar,” reads an order, signed by principal secretary to J&K government Shaleen Kabra.
Responding to the decision extending Ms Mufti’s detention, her daughter Iltija said: “Anything is expected from this regime. The petition challenging her unlawful detention has been pending in SC since February 26. Where does one seek justice?”
Reacting to the development, M.K. Stalin, president of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), in a tweet said, “I unequivocally condemn the continued detention of Ms. Mufti and other Kashmiri leaders. It is almost one year since they were taken into custody and voices of democracy were stifled. The DMK stands against the misuse of PSA to silence political opponents.”
Still detained: Soz
Meanwhile, senior Congress leader and former Union minister Saifuddin Soz on Friday said he was allowed to meet his sister but denied a meeting with his daughter by the police.
Also read | ‘I am not a free man’: Saifuddin Soz claims he is under house arrest
“I went to see my ailing sister in Srinagar. Two personal security officials (PSOs) accompanied me. I tried again around 12.35 p.m. to see my daughter but the police did not allow me to go out,”Mr. Soz said.
Stating that the police “produced and released a video showing that he [Mr Soz] was a free man”, “This version of the police is nothing more than a white lie,” the Congress leader said.
“I confirm the fact that I am under house-arrest. The government version that I was a free man is wrong. I do not know why the government has resorted to such underhand means,” he added.
However, J&K government spokesman Rohit Kansal on Thursday again said Mr. Soz was not under arrest or detention.
