Kashmiri political leaders to be released phase wise: Adviser to Jammu and Kashmir Guv
Srinagar: Almost two months after the Centre scrapped Articles 370 and 35A, the adviser to Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik said the Kashmiri political leaders, who have been detained, will be released but in a phased manner, media reports said.
The detained political leaders in Jammu were released on Wednesday.
Since Aug 5, when the Narendra Modi government took the historic step to withdraw Jammu and Kashmir's special status by scrapping the two Articles, several Kashmiri leaders including former Chief Ministers, Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti, were detained.
The Supreme Court last month had allowed Mufti's daughter Iltija to meet her mother.
Though initially key political leaders were not allowed to enter Jammu and Kashmir, the top court had later allowed them to enter the newly-formed Union Territory but asked them to refrain from getting involved into any kind of political activity.
The Centre has bifurcated Jammu and Kashmir into two Union Territories, namely Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.
Kashmir lockdown and arrests
Apprehending political unrest, the Indian government following the scrapping of Kashmir's special status and bifurcation of the state put under arrest former chief ministers of Jammu and Kashmir Mehbooba Mufti (PDP) and Omar Abdullah (National Conference).
The lockdown in Kashmir and continued incarceration of the mainstream political leaders were criticised by the opposition parties but the government contended it was a move to ensure peace in Kashmir and cited how there was no deaths in Kashmir for over 50 days since the restrictions were imposed and heavy deployment of forces was made.
However, some new political forces are coming to the fore in Jammu and Kashmir.
For example, Valley-based Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Alliance has said that New Delhi must encourage the new leadership in Kashmir free from dynasts and work with them to win the hearts of Kashmiris following the post-Article 370 scenario in the region.
"The new leadership is ready in Kashmir. They could not come forward so far owing to the presence of the dynastic parties and politicians. Following the abrogation of Article 370 and 35A the central government now should work with the right kind of people for a new Kashmir as they talk about," said Muzaffar Ahmad Bhat, president of Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Alliance (JKPA).
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