From NC to Apni party all welcome Abdullah’s release, demand release of others

Srinagar: The mainstream parties across Jammu and Kashmir on Friday welcomed the release of former chief minister and incumbent parliamentarian, Dr. Farooq Abdullah, soon after the leader was released from over seven-month-long detention, demanding release of other incarcerated leaders.
National Conference leader and Provincial president Jammu, Davinder Singh Rana said that imposing PSA on Dr. Abdullah was a wrong decision and “I welcome the revocation of such a decision,” adding that “authorities should release all other political detainees so that the voice of Jammu and Kashmir can reach everywhere.” Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) president, Ghulam Ahmad Mir also welcomed the move and demanded immediate release of other incarcerated leaders.
In a statement issued after the announcement of the revocation of PSA on Farooq Abdullah the J&K Congress President said that all those who have been kept under detention should be released and the government must ensure conducive atmosphere so that political activities in Jammu and Kashmir is resumed.
General Secretary of Peoples Conference (PC) Molvi Imran Raza Ansari also welcomed the release of Dr. Farooq Abdullah. “We welcome the release of Dr Farooq Abdullah. And I take this opportunity to demand the release if our chairman Sajad Lone. He is under strict house arrest after being in house detention at MLA hostel for six months. We also demand release of our workers who r detained under PSA” he tweeted.
Meanwhile, CPI (M) leader and former Kulgam legislator, Muhammad Yousuf Tarigami has also welcomed the release of Dr Farooq Abdullah besides demanding release of all political leaders, activists and civil society members.
“The decision of Jammu and Kashmir administration to revoke the Public Safety Act (PSA) of National Conference (NC) president Dr Farooq Abdullah, is a step to correct one wrong among many wrongs,” he said in a statement issued here.
“Though late, the decision to revoke the PSA of Dr Farooq Abdullah is welcome. The government must also release political, leaders, activists and civil society members, who were detained arbitrarily, after August 5, 2019. The politicians were placed under detention because of political vendetta by the BJP government at the Center,” he said.
He said to restore the political activities, the government must create conducive atmosphere and release of detainees is a must. “There is no political activity in J&K right now, so democracy remains suspended. The curbs on assembly of people and other activities need to be lifted immediately. Some curbs on internet, which are still in place need to be lifted immediately,” he added.
Meanwhile, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has also welcomed the release of senior Abdullah. In a statement issued, the party has also demanded the immediate release of two former chief Ministers of Jammu and Kashmir besides demanding release of all political leaders, activists and civil society members.
The recently launched Altaf Bukhari led Apni Party also hailed the decision of government. Party’s senior leader Rafi Ahmad Mir said it is need of the hour to lift PSA from other 394 persons languishing in jails outside J&K persons including two former chief ministers of J&K