- Title: India releases Kashmir leader after six-month detention
- Date: 13th March 2020
- Summary: SRINAGAR, JAMMU AND KASHMIR, INDIA (MARCH 13, 2020) (ANI - NO USE INDIA) RESIDENCE OF FORMER CHIEF OF JAMMU AND KASHMIR REGION, FAROOQ ABDULLAH IN SRINAGAR CITY PLAQUE READING (English): 'FAROOQ ABDULLAH' ARMED SECURITY PERSONNEL OUTSIDE ABDULLAH RESIDENCE (SOUNDBITE) (English) FORMER CHIEF OF JAMMU AND KASHMIR, FAROOQ ABDULLAH, SAYING: "I am grateful to all the people of the state… and all leaders and people in the rest of the country who spoke for our freedom. And I am also grateful to everyone... every individual who prayed for us." JAMMU, JAMMU AND KASHMIR, INDIA (MARCH 13, 2020) (ANI - NO USE INDIA) (SOUNDBITE) (English) JAMMU AND KASHMIR PEOPLES DEMOCRATIC PARTY LEADER, FIRDOUS TAK, SAYING: "Government of India and the state administration has realised its mistake that an illegitimate, illegal, unconstitutional, and inhuman detention order has been revoked today. We welcome the release of National Conference chief, and a veteran political leader of the state and nation, Dr. Farooq Abdullah." SRINAGAR, JAMMU AND KASHMIR, INDIA (MARCH 13, 2020) (ANI - NO USE INDIA) ABDULLAH AND OTHERS WALKING AWAY JAMMU, JAMMU AND KASHMIR, INDIA (MARCH 13, 2020) (ANI - NO USE INDIA) (SOUNDBITE) (Hindi) INDIA'S RULING BHARATIYA JANATA PARTY LEADER, KAVINDER GUPTA, SAYING: "After five-six months (of Kashmir lockdown) it has become evident that the old leadership (under Abdullah and others) was instigating the locals of the region, and that is the reason why this (detention) had happened. I hope that he maintains peace in Kashmir… so that such steps are not taken again." SRINAGAR, JAMMU AND KASHMIR, INDIA (FILE - MAY 12, 2018) (ANI - NO USE INDIA) VIEW OF SRINAGAR'S ICONIC DAL LAKE PEOPLE SITTING ON BOAT IN LAKE VARIOUS OF MAN ROWING 'SHIKARA' BOAT IN LAKE 'SHIKARA' BOATS IN LAKE
- Embargoed: 27th March 2020 14:07
- Keywords: Bharatiya Janata Party Dal Lake India Jammu Jammu and Kashmir PDP People’s Democratic Party Srinagar detention government Farooq Abdullah politics
- Location: SRINAGAR, JAMMU, JAMMU AND KASHMIR, INDIA
- City: SRINAGAR, JAMMU, JAMMU AND KASHMIR, INDIA
- Country: India
- Topics: Government/Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA001C4VWMDR
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text:The Jammu and Kashmir administration on Friday (March 13) revoked the detention of its former chief minister, Farooq Abdullah, who was held for over six months to quell dissent after the Indian government stripped the region of its autonomy.
Abdullah, a three-time former chief of state and leader of regional National Conference party, was detained in the capital Srinagar city under the Public Safety Act, following the abrogation of article 370 in the region.
India stripped its portion of Muslim-majority Kashmir of autonomy and statehood on Aug. 5, shutting off phone networks and imposing curfew-like restrictions in some areas to dampen discontent.
Over 300 Kashmiri leaders, including former chiefs of the state, Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti were detained in August on the ground of allegedly "disturbing public order", to prevent protests from breaking out.
Omar and Mufti along with other leaders continue to be in detention.
The leaders of regional Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Democratic Party welcomed the decision and criticised the detention of the leaders as an illegitimate and unconstitutional act by the Indian government and also urged to free the other detained leaders soon.
Meanwhile, leaders of India's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party said the detention of politicians and an internet blackout was needed to maintain order in a region where security forces have been fighting a long-running insurgency encouraged by Pakistan.
The removal of autonomy and subsequent crackdown in Kashmir has also drawn international criticism and diplomats from several countries say they have raised human rights concerns with India's foreign ministry. - Copyright Holder: ANI (India)
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