Facebook icon
Twitter icon
e-mail icon

India frees Kashmir independence leader

After being detained for 7 months, Kashmiri independence leader, Farooq Abdullah, has been released by Indian authorities.

Abdullah had served as the chief minister three times and had a seat in parliament. He was detained on 5 August following the implementation of Article 370, which revoked the autonomy of Kashmir and Jammu.  Abdullah was initially detained under the controversial Public Safety Act (PSA) which permits India to detain a person for up to two years without bail. He was released on Friday following an order from Kashmir’s home secretary, Shaleen Kabra.

Speaking to reporters Abdullah said;

"This freedom will be complete when all leaders are released. I hope the government of India will take action to release everyone," he added. He, however, refused to answer any political questions.

Al Jazeera notes that Abdullah’s son, Omar Abdullah, who had also served as a chief minister, is currently detained by Indian authorities. Al Jazeera further notes that he was likely released due to his poor health.

Earlier this month India restored internet back to the region.

Read more at Al Jazeera.

We need your support

Sri Lanka is one of the most dangerous places in the world to be a journalist. Tamil journalists are particularly at threat, with at least 41 media workers known to have been killed by the Sri Lankan state or its paramilitaries during and after the armed conflict.

Despite the risks, our team on the ground remain committed to providing detailed and accurate reporting of developments in the Tamil homeland, across the island and around the world, as well as providing expert analysis and insight from the Tamil point of view

We need your support in keeping our journalism going. Support our work today.

For more ways to donate visit https://donate.tamilguardian.com.