After first lot, the government is considering the release of more mainstream political leaders, who were put under house detention or were detained at make-shift jail in Srinagar since August 5. Sources said that some of the incarcerated leaders would likely be shifted to Jammu soon. The mainstream political party leaders including the three former chief ministers of Jammu and Kashmir, Dr. Farooq Abdullah, his son Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti were detained by the government on August 5, when the government in centre abrogated the special status of Jammu and Kashmir and bifurcated the erstwhile State into two Union Territories.Sources privy to the development told the wire service – Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that many of the Valley-based incarcerated mainstream leaders will be released soon. “The deliberations are going on and it is hoped that a second lot of caged leaders will be released in next week,” they said.They further added that some among the leaders will remain under detention and few including Dr. Farooq Abdullah will be shifted to Jammu in coming days.
Sources further added that there is possibility of track-II diplomacy with the caged leader, which is not possible in Srinagar and can be initiated in Jammu region only. “The government would likely initiate talks with the senior mainstream leader and incumbent parliamentarian, Dr. Farooq Abdullah in Jammu, therefore, officials are considering sending the detained leader to Jammu in coming days to initiate the process, which is not feasible in Srinagar,” sources added.Pertinently, several mainstream leaders were released by the government including Peoples Conference (PC) General Secretary Molvi Imran Raza Ansari, Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) Dilawar Mir, Yawar Dilawar Mir and others.Almost all the Jammu based leaders were released by the government including National Conference’s Provincial President Davinder Singh Rana, Sajad Kichloo, Sham Lal Choudhary and others in the previous month. (KNO)