Janjivan Bureau / Srinagar : Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and National Conference president Farooq Abdullah was released from seven-month-old detention on Friday as the administration revoked his incarceration under the Public Safety Act.
The order signed by Shaleen Kabra, Principal Secretary Home Department, announced that Farooq’s detention under the Act has been revoked.
Farooq, a three-time chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir, was detained in August last year immediately after New Delhi abrogated Article 370.
He was later detained under Public Safety Act on September 15. His detention was further extended for a period of three months on December 13.
Abdullah said in a statement on Friday that he would attend Parliament if he was allowed.
“I can’t believe I’m free. I hope everybody else is released too. I will attend Parliament if allowed. And once I am there, I will raise the problems being faced by the people of Kashmir,” Abdullah said when he met the press at his residence on the Gupkar Road here, which was turned into a sub-jail for his detention.
He was flanked by his wife Molly Abdullah and daughter Sara Abdullah Pilot, as he thanked “all those who stood by me and raised the demand for my release.”
“I would also like to express gratitude to every individual who prayed for us… I will not speak on any political matter till others are released,” he said.
He underwent a minor eye surgery just days before the Public Safety Act (PSA) was revoked.
The release of Farooq comes at a time when most of the politicians, who were detained in the aftermath of abrogation of Article 370, have been released.
Farooq’s son Omar Abdullah and also PDP president Mehbooba Mufti continue to remain under detention.
