Release detained leaders, stop creating space for terrorists in J&K: Rahul to Centre

Accusing Centre of trying to create a political vacuum by removing leaders like Farooq Abdullah from Jammu and Kashmir’s political space, he said, “It’s obvious that the Government is trying to remove nationalist leaders like Farooq Abdullah Ji to create a political vacuum in Jammu & Kashmir that will be filled by terrorists.”

He alleged that by doing this Kashmir will be permanently used as a “political instrument” to polarise the rest of the country.

The J&K administration on Monday slapped Public Safety Act (PSA) on detained former Chief Minister and National Conference leader Farooq Abdullah, describing him as a “threat to public order” as the lockdown in the Valley entered its 40th day. Under this law, Abdullah may remain under detention up to a year, if not more, at his Srinagar home which has now been designated a subsidiary jail.

Editorial | Public? Safety?

Congress’ Ghulam Nabi Azad, who is also the Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha, condemned the move saying it is the country’s “misfortune” that leaders who fought for its unity and integrity have been put behind bars.

“I strongly condemn it. It is most unfortunate that a (former) chief minister of one of the oldest political parties in Kashmir (has been detained). Each chief minister, and each political party be it Congress, NC and PDP in Jammu and Kashmir have tried their best to fight militancy. If there is no militancy today, it is because of these political parties and not the BJP,” he told reporters.

Senior NC leader Mohammad Akbar Lone said that the party would take a legal course to challenge Farooq Abdullah’s detention under PSA. “They have no justification to do that, but if they have booked him under the PSA, then what can we do? We can only approach the courts. We will take constitutional and legal recourse,” Lone said in Srinagar.

Slamming the central government over its decision, Lok Sabha MP and AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi also said that how anyone who had met Prime Minister Modi a day before Kashmir’s special status was withdrawn can be a threat now.

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