After keeping her in detention for more than a year, the Jammu and Kashmir government has finally decided to release former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and People’s Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti. In detention since August last year, she was released around 9.45 pm.
Jammu and Kashmir Administration Spokesperson Rohit Kansal informed that Mehbooba Mufti is being released from detention.”Ms Mehbooba Mufti being released,” he tweeted.
National Conference (NC) leader Omar Abdullah on Tuesday expressed happiness after the government has revoked the detention of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti saying that former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister’s detention was against the basic tenets of democracy. “I’m pleased to hear that Mehbooba Mufti Sahiba has been released after more than a year in detention. Her continued detention was a travesty and was against the basic tenets of democracy. Welcome out Mehbooba,” Abdullah tweeted.
Meanwhile Mehbooba Mufti’s daughter Iltija, who was operating the former chief minister’s Twitter account since last year, put out her last tweet on Tuesday while expressing gratitude to followers. “As Ms Mufti’s illegal detention finally comes to an end, Id like to thank everybody who supported me in these tough times. I owe a debt of gratitude to you all. This is Iltija signing off. May allah protect you,” Shaleen Kabra, Principal Secretary to Government, also issued an order for the release of Mufti.
“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 / 147 / 2020 dated 05-02-2020 issued by District Magistrate, Srinagar. which was last extended for a period of three months vide Government Order No Home / PB-V / 1449 of 2020 dated 31-07-2020 of Ms. Mehbooba Mufti D/o Late Mufti Mohd Sayed R/o Bijbehara A/P Nowgam, Srinagar, with immediate effect. By order of the Government of Jammu and Kashmir,” read the order by Kabra.
Mufti and many other leaders of Kashmir, including Farooq Abdullah, were put in detention last year following the abrogation of Article 370 of the Indian Constitution that accorded special status to the erstwhile state.
In July this year, Mufti’s detention under the Public Safety Act (PSA) was extended by three months. Farooq, and son Omar Abdullah, were released from detention in March.
Soon after the government issued the order revoking the PSA on Tuesday, J&K PDP tweeted that Mehbooba Mufti would be addressing a press conference on 16 October.
“Party president Mehbooba Mufti would be addressing a press conference on Friday, 16th of October, 2020. Timing of the presser would be shared separately,” PDP tweeted.
