Azad steps in Kashmir, meets Farooq says united fight for the restoration is the key

By Shayib Bhat

Srinagar

Former Chief Minister and senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad on Saturday met Farooq Abdullah after he walked to freedom over seven months of detention. Azad told media that he is still not aware why Farooq Abdullah was detained by authorities.

Azad said that the government should release all the political prisoners in Kashmir so that a genuine political process is started and election should be held as soon as possible so that a proper elected government is put in place.

Azad was flanked by Farooq Abdullah, and he said that proper procedure should be followed by the government so that all the detained leaders can walk free and start their political activities. Azad claimed that in the past three years there has been no visible development in Jammu and Kashmir and all the developmental projects have been kept in back burner by the central government. He said that all the limbs of the life have been crippled in Kashmir valley due to the massive clampdown unleashed by the government after abrogated article 370, August last year.

He said that the great injustice to the people of Jammu and Kashmir was done by the BJP government when they reduced the state into two union territories. He said that business has taken a beating due to the heavy security build up and suspension of internet in Jammu and Kashmir. Azad said that people suffered a lot in the past seven months and said that the central government should not waste any time and release all the political prisoners so that there is an elected government in place.

Government decided to release Farooq Abdullah and revoked PSA slapped on him on Friday after the Centre issued orders to revoke detention and he remained in jail for over seven months. Government converted his house at Gupkar road into a sub-jail and did not allow him to move out on August 5, last year.