A number of leaders are still in custody in Jammu and Kashmir

Srinagar Dt.3 August 2020 Monday

It has been almost a year since the repeal of Article 370, which gives special status to Jammu and Kashmir, on August 5, 2019. More than 144 Kashmiri leaders were still in custody, a government spokesman said. Earlier, however, more than 300 leaders were granted conditional release. Jammu and Kashmir is now a Union Territory. Earlier, 164 laws belonging to Jammu and Kashmir were repealed. It was followed by the implementation of 170 new laws imposed by the central government.

Fifty-one leaders were released following an order of the Jammu and Kashmir High Court. Others were released after a review by the administration. Each of the released leaders was clearly warned not to make political statements.

Meanwhile, the detention of former state chief minister Mehbooba Mufti was extended for another three months last Friday when Sajjad Gani Lone, a minister in the previous coalition government, was released. Mehbooba was kept in a government bungalow converted into a jail. His detention was due to end on August 5. It was extended for another three months.

Out of the total 354 laws of the state, 164 laws were completely repealed after the special status of Jammu and Kashmir was abolished. 138 laws were amended and 170 laws were enacted by the Central Government in the Union Territories. Meanwhile, scholarships for minority students were increased by 262 per cent.

Earlier, National Conference leader and former chief minister Umak Abdullah had claimed that he had been asked to sign a bond before being released but had refused to do so. However, he did not specify what the bond was.