Login Register
Follow Us

Farooq’s detention under PSA brings in new dimension

JAMMU: The arrest of former Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah under the Public Safety Act (PSA) on Monday is likely to touch hitherto untouched fields, ranging from the greater questions on detentions in Kashmir, logic behind these and the prism with which the national parties and human rights groups would view it.

Show comments

Arun Joshi

Tribune News Service

Jammu, September 16

The arrest of former Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah under the Public Safety Act (PSA) on Monday is likely to touch hitherto untouched fields, ranging from the greater questions on detentions in Kashmir, logic behind these and the prism with which the national parties and human rights groups would view it.

Ironically, Farooq was booked under the Act that his father Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah had passed in 1970s for detaining timber smugglers without trial for two years. Later, it was invoked for hardened criminals, secessionists and subversives.

This action against Farooq Abdullah can keep him under detention for two years without trial. The announcement coincided with his 43rd day of the house arrest in Srinagar following the scrapping of the special status of J&K on August 5, and also when the Supreme Court demanded to know from the Centre whether Farooq Abdullah was under detention.

This query was made in response to MDMK leader Vaiko, who had filed a Habeas Corpus petition in the Supreme Court and it came for hearing this morning. Immediately, thereafter, it was announced that Farooq had been detained under the PSA.

It is a new template in which a warning has been served against the top political leaders, under detention, that attempt to seek release could result in the imposition of laws like the PSA on them.

However, no specific charges and grounds were offered for this sudden turn of events. Earlier, the government had claimed that they were being kept in preventive custody and there were no charges as such against them.

Farooq, with the PSA invoked against him, has been placed in the category of chronic stone-throwers, over ground workers of militant outfits and others who are wanted by law for their anti-national activities.

He, and other political leaders, particularly two other former chief ministers Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti, were among more than 300 leaders put under arrest after the special status was done away with early last month with a thumping approval of Parliament.

In all, there are close to 3,000 persons under arrest, nearly one tenth of them under the PSA since August 5 because of the apprehension that those opposing the withdrawal of Article 370 and 35A, two most prominent and best known constitutional provisions that granted special status, rights and privileges to the “permanent residents” of the state, might stir street troubles.

This is certain to have a demoralising effect on the party workers, a party source confided to The Tribune. “We are lesser mortals and count for nothing when our tallest leader is booked under the PSA,” said a National Conference leader wishing anonymity. The legal options have been foreclosed.

Farooq Abdullah is an internationally known leader of Kashmir because of his legacy, son of Sheikh Abdullah who had fought the Dogra monarchy and is credited with having secured semi-sovereignty for J&K in early 1950s.

It could also evoke international attention, particularly as Farooq is known all over, and had defended Indian sovereignty on Kashmir at international forums a number of times. There would be many questions in store for the government from international quarters.

The Centre, the sources said, has already done its home work.

Show comments
Show comments

Top News

Most Read In 24 Hours