Early Times Report
Srinagar, Feb 12: The MLA Hostel in Srinagar that was converted into a Sub Jail to detain over two dozen politicians, who were arrested in the wake of abrogation of the special status, is set to be free from detainees soon.
Sources said whereas most of the detainees are likely to be released in the coming days, those of the detained, who have been recently booked under the Public Safety Act or are feared to be booked, could be shifted elsewhere.
Till now, more than two dozen politicians, who were detained at the MLA Hostel have been released whereas around a dozen of them are still under detention at the Sub Jail on the MA Road.
Official sources said barring those booked under the PSA, most others were likely to be released by the end of February.
Four of the detainees at the MLA Hostel, including senior National Conference leader Ali Muhammad Sagar, and Peoples Democratic Party leaders including Naeem Akhter and Sartaj Madani have been booked under the PSA. Member Parliament Akbar Lone’s son and NC leader who is also booked under the PSA is detained at the same sub jail.
A senior police official said such leaders were “most likely to be shifted to a guesthouse.” “There are security issues. We don’t look ahead of detaining half a dozen odd people in such a big building and thus they may be shifted elsewhere when all other( politicians )are released,” said the police official on the condition of anonymity. He, however, said a formal decision in this regard would only be taken after deliberations with the Union Home Ministry.
It is pertinent to mention that after slapping of the PSA on former Chief Minister and National Conference president Dr Farooq Abdullah, his son and former CM Omar Abdullah and his successor Mehbooba Mufti who heads the PDP were also booked under the same stringent law.
Thereafter other senior leaders from the twin parties were also booked taking the total number of politicians booked under the PSA to at least seven.
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