3 J&K Leaders To Be Released From Detention Today

The authorities of Jammu and Kashmir will releasethree politicians detained since August 5 after the government stripped the state of itsspecial status and downsized it into two union territories by imposing acommunications blackout in the region.

The three leaders, Yawar Mir, Noor Mohammed, and Shoiab Lone will be released on various grounds which includes the signing of a bond, the administration said, explaining the reasons for ending their detention.

While Mir is a former MLA of the PDP from Rafiabadassembly seat, Lone contested unsuccessfully on a Congress ticket from NorthKashmir and later resigned from the party. He was considered close to People'sConference chief Sajjad Lone. Noor Mohammed is a National Conference worker whohas been managing the party's show in the militancy-infested Batmaloo area ofthe Srinagar city.

Before his release, he will be signing a bond to maintain peace and good behavior, the officials said. The governor administration had earlier released Imran Ansari of the People's Conference and Syed Akhoon on health grounds on September 21.

More than a thousand people, including politicians, separatists, activists, and lawyers, were detained after the August 5 decision of the Central government to abrogate the special status.

The detainees include three former chief ministers Farooq Abdullah, Omar Abdullah, and Mehbooba Mufti.

Over 250 were sent to the jails outside Jammu and Kashmir.Farooq Abdullah was subsequently detained under the stringent Public SafetyAct, while other politicians were mostly detained under different sections ofthe criminal procedure code.