The Jammu and Kashmir administration on Wednesday released former IAS officer and J&K People’s Movement (JKPM) party leader Shah Faesal and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leaders Sartaj Madni and Peer Mansoor, who were booked under the stringent Public Safety Act (PSA).
An official said their release order was issued on Wednesday. They had remained behind the bars since August 5 last when J&K’s special status was revoked.
Mr. Faesal was first detained at the Delhi international airport and barred from travelling abroad. Later, he was formally booked under the PSA. His arrest came after he opposed the revocation of J&K’s special status in interviews given to foreign media.
Former Chief Minister and National Conference leader Omar Abdullah welcomed the move and demanded the release of his party leaders, including Ali Mohammad Sagar and Hilal Lone and PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti.
“Good to hear @shahfaesal , Peer Mansoor & Sartaj Madani have been released from their unjust PSA detention. Disappointed that @MehboobaMufti , Sagar Sb & Hilal Lone continue to be detained. It’s high time they are set free as well,” he said in a tweet.
PDP’s Naeem Akhtar and NC’s Sagar remain arrested under the PSA in a sub-jail in Srinagar.