Ali Sagar, Sartaj Madani slapped with PSA

SRINAGAR — Authorities on Thursday slapped Public Safety Act (PSA) against National Conference General Secretary Ali Muhammad Sagar and senior PDP leader Sartaj Madani who were shifted from MLA hostel to a government building at Gupkar.

Another NC leader Bashir Ahmed Veeri was also released from MLA hostel and lodged at his official accommodation at Jawahar Nagar area of Srinagar.

As per top officials, both Sagar and PDP leader, who is also the uncle of PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti, have been slapped with PSA.

Madani’s PSA has been approved by District Magistrate Kulgam under order DMK-Kulgam-order number 80—PSA. As per the PSA of Madani, he has been booked for his role during the double-rape and murder of Asiya and Nelofar in 2009 and pioneering the self-rule doctrine of PDP.

Similarly, Sagar’s PSA has been also approved by District Magistrate Srinagar. However, it was not clear what the grounds of detention were against Sagar.

The duo have already served six month long detention since August 05.

As per the dossiers of both the leaders, Sagar’s PSA dossier reads that SSP Srinagar vide order number 1247-50, dated 05-02-2020, produced recorded material dossier. The dossier reads that connecting documents in respect of Ali Muhammad Sagar, resident of Nawa Bazar at present Airport road, “I am satisfied that he was prejudiced to maintenance of peace,” reads the PSA of Sagar. As per the grounds of detention order: DMS/PSA/145, 2019 dated 05-02-2020, Sagar had raised the voice against the vision of India besides Article 370 and Article 35-A.

“He was very vocal against abrogation of 35-A and Article 370. He was involved in instigating youth especially party workers. His capacity to disturb the public order can be gauged from the fact that he succeeded in mobilizing voters in the peak of militancy and poll boycotts,” the dossier reads.

As per the dossier of Sartaj Madani, it reads that he played a pivotal role during Asiya and Nelofar case. “He played a vital role in mobilizing anti-social elements,” the dossier reads. “He was also involved in provoking people to come on to the streets and actively support separatists and propagate secession of J&K from Union of India especially after Afzal Guru’s hanging.”

Sagar and PDP leader and uncle of Mehbooba Mufti, Sartaj Madni, were shifted from the MLA hostel to a government building on the highly secure Gupkar road, which has been designated as a sub-jail.

Meanwhile, National conference leader and former MLC Bashir Veeri was released from detention on Thursday.

More than three dozen leaders were detained after the abrogation of Article 370, but most of them have been released now on the Supreme Court’s direction.

Even as the Jammu and Kashmir administration is gradually releasing the mainstream politicians, the detention of three former chief ministers, Dr Farooq Abdullah, Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti’s detention may be extended.

Dr Farooq has already been booked under Public Safety Act (PSA), a law enacted by his late father Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah.

Sources said that authorities could extend the detention of Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti, whose custody under section 107 and 151 of CRPC had lapsed. According to sources, deliberations are on whether to continue with the sections 107 and 151 or slap the Public Safety Act (PSA) on both of the leaders. Same is the case with Shah Faesal, the former IAS officer turned politician, who has also been in detention for months now.

Farooq Abdullah has been detained at his home at Gupkar road in Srinagar, which has been designated as a sub jail. Omar Abdullah is detained at Hari Niwas and Mehbooba Mufti has been kept in a government building on the Maulana Azad Road.

As per reports, a total of 35 mainstream politicians were moved from the Centaur hotel on the banks of the Dal Lake to the MLA hostel in November 2019. At present, only 11 politicians are lodged at MLA hostel now.