In a shot in the arm for dissenting voices from Kashmir, bureaucrat turned politician Shah Faesal, as well as two People’s Democratic Party (PDP) leaders; Sartaj Madni and Peer Mansoor, are all set to be released from detention after the Jammu and Kashmir government revoked provisions of the draconian Public Safety Act (PSA) under which they had been charged.
Shah Faisal shot into prominence when he resigned from the Indian Administrative Services (IAS) in January 2019, protesting the unabated killing of Kashmiris, and then went on to become one of the most prominent dissenting voices from the region as he launched the Jammu and Kashmir People’s Movement (JKPM) party. He was also extremely vocal about the manner in which article 370 had been abrogated in Kashmir and was detained along with several other leaders of PDP as well as the National Conference including Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti.
Omar Abdulla welcomed the news of Faesal’s release tweeting, “Good to hear @shahfaesal , Peer Mansoor & Sartaj Madani have been released from their unjust PSA detention. Disappointed that @MehboobaMufti , Sagar Sb & Hilal Lone continue to be detained. It’s high time they are set free as well.”
Good to hear @shahfaesal, Peer Mansoor & Sartaj Madani have been released from their unjust PSA detention. Disappointed that @MehboobaMufti, Sagar Sb & Hilal Lone continue to be detained. It’s high time they are set free as well.
— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) June 3, 2020
Also Nayeem Akhtar who remains under PSA along with Sagar Sb in a government bungalow on Gupkar road. He too should be released without any further delay. There is no justification for their continued detention.
— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) June 3, 2020
Not to mention the many others under informal “house arrest” for the last 10 months. It’s time the rule of law is applied to all equally & these leaders are allowed to leave their homes without their “guards” locking them inside without cause, justification or any detention order
— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) June 3, 2020
In a previous interview to SabrangIndia’s co-founder Teesta Setalvad, Faesal had spoken at length about human rights issues and democratic values in Kashmir. The entire interview may be viewed here: