Kashmir leaders to be released from detention 'one by one': J-K Governor's adviser
New Delhi: Political leaders in Kashmir, who have been placed under house arrest since August 5 as part of the lockdown in Jammu and Kashmir following the revocation of Article 370 provisions, will be released from detention in a phased manner, an adviser to J&K Governor Satya Pal Malik said.
"Yes, one by one after analysis of every individual, they will be released," Farooq Khan was quoted as saying by ANI when asked if Kashmiri leaders will be released from detention after Jammu region leaders.
On Wednesday, around a dozen top Opposition leaders of the Jammu region were allowed to move out of their homes to resume their political activities. The lifting of restrictions on movements of Jammu Opposition leaders came ahead of the first Block Development Council elections in the state, scheduled for October 24.
National Conference provincial president and former J&K minister Devender Rana, younger brother of Dr Jitendra Singh, Minister of State in the PMO, had told The Indian Express: "A senior police officer called me late Tuesday night, saying restrictions imposed on us have been lifted and now we are free to go anywhere and meet party workers."
Sajjad Kitchloo, another former state minister and ex-NC lawmaker, and Javed Rana, a former MLC, too said restrictions imposed on their movements outside homes have been lifted. "Police personnel outside our residences have been withdrawn,'' they said.
The situation in J&K continues to remain volatile as authorities had reimposed restrictions in Kashmir Valley on Saturday. Protests had broken out in several parts of Srinagar after Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Pakistan PM Imran Khan finished their speeches at the United Nations General Assembly.
A grenade was lobbed at CRPF personnel in downtown Srinagar, but it had missed the target. The CRPF issued a release on the attack, making it possibly the first militant strike acknowledged by the forces since the August 5 scrapping of Jammu & Kashmir's special status.
(With inputs from Indian Express)
