Farooq Abdullah released after 7 months of detention

Member of Parliament and former chief minister Farooq Abdullah was released from detention after 7 months.

After his release, National Conference leader Farooq Abdullah said, Today I don't have words. I am free today; Now, I will be able to go to Delhi and attend the Parliament and speak for you all.

“I'm grateful to people of the State and all leaders and people in the rest of the country who spoke for our freedom. This freedom will be complete when all leaders are released. I hope GoI will take action to release everyone.”

In an order, state Home Secretary Shaleen Kabra said the PSA invoked on Abdullah on September 17 and further extended on December 13, has been revoked.

Rohit Kansal, spokesman of the Union Territory administration said on Friday that the PSA detention order of Farooq Abdullah has been revoked.

The order said, "In exercise of powers conferred under section 19 (1) of the Jammu and Kashmir Public Safety Act 1978, the government hereby revoked the detention order issued by District Magistrate, Srinagar, which was extended for a period of three months and further extended by three months, with immediate effect."

Deputy Commissioner of Srinagar Sahid Chaudhary said, "The PSA has been revoked and there are no restrictions on him any more."

However, a top official told IANS that the PSA against Abdullah has been removed, but the order will take some to be executed."

The order comes into force with immediate effect.

Abdullah was among a host of leaders and activists who were detained on August 5 when the centre abrogated Article 370 and divided the state into two union territories -- Ladakh, and Jammu and Kashmir.

Besides Abdullah, his son and former chief minister Omar and ex-CM Mehbooba Mufti, several other leaders have also been under detention since August 5.