Jammu: Political leaders from Kashmir who were under preventive detention following the abrogation of Article 370 will be released soon, Jammu and Kashmir administration said on Thursday.
"Yes, one by one after analysis of every individual, they (leaders) will be released," Farooq Khan, advisor to Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satyapal Malik told reporters here.
According to Indian Express, about a dozen opposition leaders from Jammu region were allowed to move out of their homes to do political activities. The lifting of restrictions was observed ahead of first Block Development Council elections in the state which is scheduled for October 24.
“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,” told National Conference provincial president and former J&K minister Devender Rana, younger brother of Dr Jitendra Singh, Minister of State in the PMO.
The leaders from Jammu and Kashmir political parties were placed under detention following the abrogation of Article 370 by the Centre on August 5. On being asked about the increased activity of the police and security personnel in Jammu and Kashmir, Khan said that it was not due to any special kind of terrorist threat but was more of a preventive measure.
"The administration has taken preventive measures by increasing its activity in the region. All forces including police, Army, BSF are on alert and will continue to give fitting reply to the terrorists," he said.
Upon being asked about the incessant ceasefire violations from across the border by Pakistan, Khan said, "Pakistan was taught a lesson before in the past too and if the need arises it will be taught a lesson again in the coming days." People's Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti and National Conference leader Farooq and Omar Abdullah were prominent leaders who were placed under preventive detention by the Jammu and Kashmir administration.
The government had on August 5 scrapped the provision of the article, which took away the special rights enjoyed by the people of Jammu and Kashmir and bifurcated the state into two Union Territories - Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. The UTs will come into being on October 31.
(Inputs from ANI)
