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Farooq arrested under PSA

SRINAGAR:Three-time Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir and five-time parliamentarian Farooq Abdullah was booked on Monday under the stringent Public Safety Act (PSA) and his residence was declared a jail, officials said here.

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Majid Jahangir
Tribune News Service
Srinagar, September 16

Three-time Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir and five-time parliamentarian Farooq Abdullah was booked on Monday under the stringent Public Safety Act (PSA) and his residence was declared a jail, officials said here.

Farooq, 83, who was under “house arrest” from August 5 — the day the Central Government scrapped the special status of J&K and divided the state into two union territories — was booked under the PSA around 10 pm on Sunday and his detention was signed by the District Magistrate, Srinagar. The PSA on Farooq was slapped on the eve of MDMK leader Vaiko’s petition in the Supreme Court challenging his house arrest.

According to the PSA warrant, one of the grounds on which Farooq has been booked is “posing threat to state security and territorial integrity”, and as per law he can be detained for a minimum period of six months without any trial.

Farooq, a National Security Guard protectee who had a Z plus security cover, has been lodged at his Gupkar residence, which has been converted into a detention centre. Incidentally, the PSA was introduced by Farooq’s father Sheikh Abdullah in J&K to primarily tackle timber smugglers.

Soon after the news about the PSA became public, security was tightened around Gupkar and concertina wires were erected and vehicles were not allowed to move towards the area.  

Farooq, who is also the National Conference president, is the first mainstream leader to have been booked under the PSA after the scrapping of the state’s special status. In a massive crackdown after the abrogation of Article 370, J&K has detained over 3,000 persons, including two former CMs — Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti.

Sources said at least 300 persons had been booked under the PSA in the past 43 days. In the past, the PSA has been used by previous governments against separatists, militants and stone throwers.

After the abrogation of Article 370 and the division of the state into two UTs, Farooq was put under “house arrest”. During a debate in Parliament, Union Home Minister Amit Shah had claimed that Farooq was not under house arrest.

SC notice to Centre, J&K on Vaiko plea 

New Delhi: The Centre and J&K administration have been asked by the SC to respond to a plea seeking Farooq’s production before the court. The SC Bench issued notice to the Centre and state, and fixed RS MP Vaiko’s plea for hearing on September 30. PTI 

Left hits out at Centre

New Delhi: The Left parties slammed the government on Monday over Farooq Abdullah’s detention. “The government has detained a senior leader under a draconian law and aggravated the situation there,” said CPI general secretary D Raja. CPM leader Mohammed Salim accused Home Minister Amit Shah of lying on the floor of Parliament over Farooq’s detention.

NC outraged, says J&K under martial law 

The NC said the state was under ‘martial law’ and democratic and constitutional principles had been forsaken. “Farooq’s arrest has blown to shreds the lies of the Centre that people have welcomed Article 370 decision… It will have serious consequences,” said a statement. 

Introduced by Father

The PSA was introduced by Farooq’s father Sheikh Abdullah in J&K primarily to tackle timber smugglers. Later, the Act came in handy for police and security forces during early 1990s when militancy erupted. It is applicable only in J&K. Elsewhere, the equivalent law is the National Security Act. 

Black flag by Daughter

Farooq’s daughter Safiya, a next door neighbour, has hoisted a black flag at the gate of her residence to protest the PSA detention. The road to Farooq’s Gupkar residence has been sealed by security forces. 

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