Srinagar, Apr 5: Two major regional parties are pleading each other’s cases on social media on the day their caged senior leaders completed eight months of detention.
Former J&K CM and president PDP, Mehbooba Mufti, and other politicians of other parties continue to remain in detention since August 2019 when Article 370 abrogation and the erstwhile state’s bifurcation took place.
On Sunday, Omar Abdullah, who was released just last month, called for release of Mehbooba, and senior NC leader Ali Mohammad Sagar.
He called their detention “immoral and unjustified.”
“In all the #Covid_19 news let’s not lose sight of the fact that today @MehboobaMufti, Sagar Sahib & others complete 8 months of a totally immoral & unjustified detention. The government has detained them out of spite simply because it could get away with it,” tweeted Omar.
Minutes later, PDP came up with a series of tweets highlighting the detentions and calling for the release of leaders.
“Senior Leader Ali Mohammed Sagar Sb, GS @JKNC_, Former Cabinet Minster 6 time MLA (longest serving MLA of J&K) continues to be incarcerated. A steadfast proponent of democracy, has stood with his people even during 90’s when some wrote obituaries of mainstream,” PDP wrote on party’s official twitter handle.
The party also highlighted the continued detention of IAS topper-turned-politician Shah Faesal.
“In 2009 when he cracked UPSC securing 1st rank, he was celebrated not only in J&K but across the country as a role model for youth. On 14th August, 2019 @shahfeasal was arrested, PSA slapped and continues to be incarcerated. #RestoreDemocracy,” it tweeted.
PDP also mentioned the detention of scores of Kashmiris who are lodged in jails in and outside J&K.
“Those hundreds of political prisoners, youngsters who continue to be incarcerated in far away jails even during this pandemic. Let’s resolutely stand in solidarity with their families in these tough times. We are in this together. Demand their early release on humanitarian grounds.”
In another tweet, it referred to its leader and former minister Naeem Akhter’s continued detention.
“Senior Leader, Former Minister & IAS officer Naem Akhter, strong votary of Indo-Pak CBM’s, KM-KP bonhomie continues to be arrested under draconian PSA. Being part of Mufti Sb’s team during opening of Muzaffarbad bus service, he would often refer to his most cherished memory in life.”
The party also questioned why Sajad Lone was put under house arrest after being released from the detention centre.
“Chairman @jkpc Mr@sajadlone released after 7 months of detention only to be placed under house arrest again. Sajad Sahab’s joining mainstream was boasted of as resilience of inclusive & strong democratic tradition of India once. #RestoreDemocracy.”
