J&K leaders to be freed ‘one by one’

Tribune News Service
Jammu, October 3

Couple of days after the authorities lifted restrictions on the movement of Jammu-based political leaders, the J&K Government today said all detained Kashmiri leaders “will be released one by one after analysis of every individual”.

“Be hopeful, all leaders (in Kashmir) will be set free one by one after proper analysis of every individual,” Farooq Khan, Adviser to J&K Governor, told reporters on the sidelines of a function at Teacher’s Bhawan here.

On October 1, the state administration lifted curbs on the movement of Jammu-based leaders of the National Conference (NC), Congress, Panthers Party and others, reportedly in view of the forthcoming elections to block development councils, which form second-tier of panchayats—on October 24. The elections will be held on party basis.

On Wednesday, Khan said the BDC elections were being held for elected panchayat members and not for detained political leaders. His reaction came after Opposition parties slammed the administration for holding BDC elections on party basis at a time when their leaders were under detention.