In a sudden move by the J&K administration, National Conference patron Dr Farooq Abdullah, who was serving detention under Public Safety Act (PSA) at his Gupkar residence since August 5 last year, was set free on Friday.Soon after senior Abdullah’s release, he was flanked by his wife Moily, daughter Safia and son-in-law and grandson at his Gupkar that was declared a sub-jail by the authorities. Dr Farooq’s PSA detention term was supposed to end today. But the Government of India and the J&K administration choose to set him free instead of further extending the term of detention.According to wire service—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), in four-minute interaction with the media persons at his home at Gupkar in Srinagar, Abdullah, who is also the patron of regional National Conference (NC) said that although he has been set free after seven months of incarceration but, still “it is not complete freedom as many of the leaders are still under detention at different places including at MLA hostel.”Dr Farooq’s release order was issued by Principal Secretary to Government, Shaleen Kabra in the morning today. Abdullah was detained in wake of the trashing of Article 370 last year on August 5 and was later booked under PSA.
An order vide number Home/PB-V/702 of 2020, dated March 13 reads that the government revokes the detention order bearing number DMS/PSA/120/2020 dated 15-09-2019 issued by District Magistrate, Srinagar, extended for a period of three months vide government order number Home/PB-V/340 of 2019 dated 13-12-2019 and then extended for a further period of three months of Dr. Farooq Abdullah, son of Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah with immediate effect.Abdullah while interacting with media persons from a distance at his Gupkar residence, expressed happiness over his release and said that he will be completely happy when the leaders under incarceration will be released. “I am a free man today but my freedom is incomplete till others are released,” Dr Farooq said soon after his release. “Others are still under detention. Omar is under detention and Mehboobaji is also under detention. I hope all will be released soon.”As per KNO, he, refused to speak on the issue of revocation of Article 370 and bifurcation of erstwhile state into two Union Territories.Dr Farooq, however, said that he will not make any political statement over any issue till the other leaders are released. Abdullah also thanked the people who prayed for his released in last seven months.He said that he will go to the parliament and will raise the voice there.” Farooq’s son and former chief minister Omar Abdullah continues to remain under detention just a few miles away from his father’s residence at Gupkar.Earlier, the Jammu and Kashmir administration revoked the detention order of former chief minister Jammu and Kashmir and incumbent parliamentarian, Dr. Farooq Abdullah under Public Safety Act (PSA)—(KNO)