In a major step, Jammu and Kashmir government on Thursday decided to release five more Kashmir based leaders from political detention. All five were under political detention since August 5, the day Union Government decided to abrogate Article 370 and 35A; and bifurcate of the state of Jammu and Kashmir into two Union Territories.
On Saturday, the UT government revoked detention warrants against 26 persons detained under the provisions of the Jammu & Kashmir Public Safety Act, 1978. Public Safety Act (PSA) was revoked on the second day of the visit of envoys of 16 countries. The leaders who were released from political detention are Mukhtiar Bhat of People’s Democratic Party, Salman Sagar of National Conference, Altaf Kaloo of National Conference, Nizamudin Bhat of People’s Democratic Party and Showkat Ganaie.