Detainees likely to be released this week, discussion already started, many willing to join Bukhari led third front
Owais Gul
Srinagar, Jan 08 : As the detained leaders would likely be released in this week, the third front headed by former minister and top-notch businessman of Kashmir, Altaf Bukhari is all set to hold one-to-one with the leaders once they will come out from five-month-long detention.
According to the wire service—, sources said that the third front that is shaping up in Jammu and Kashmir have already started deliberations with some of detained leaders, who are under detention at sub-jail –cum-MLA hostel in Srinagar.
At least 33 politicians affiliated with different political parties including the three former chief ministers—Dr. Farooq Abdullah, his son Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti. These leaders have been put under detention on August 5, when the central government abrogated the special status of Jammu and Kashmir (Article 370) and bifurcated the erstwhile State into two Union Territories—Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh. Pertinently, Dr. Abdullah has been booked under Public Safety Act (PSA) with agencies citing ‘threat to peace’.
Sources privy to the development told that the third front, comprising of almost a dozen of former legislators are in close contact with some of the detained leaders affiliated with three political parties including National Conference (NC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Congress.
They said that the deal with some of the leaders is almost done and they will be joining the third front soon after they will come out from the five-month-long detention while some of the detained leaders are likely going to hold a meeting with the third front leaders to discuss the issues prior to joining them.
It was also learnt from the sources that the third front headed by Altaf Bukhari would formally announce its decision after one and half month.
Earlier on Tuesday, the delegation of eight former legislators headed by Syed Altaf Bukhari called on Lieutenant Governor Girish Chandra Murmu and submitted a detailed memorandum, demanding statehood status to Jammu and Kashmir, release of prisoners and protection of land, job rights and restoration of internet services.
The memorandum submitted by the delegation states that “we take this opportunity to solicit your attention towards the socio-political and economic situation that emerged since August 5, 2019 (Nullification of Article 370 and reorganization of erstwhile State of Jammu and Kashmir).”
The other members besides Bukhari include Ghulam Hassan Mir (President Democratic Party Nationalist), Mohammad Dilawar Mir (Former Minister), Zaffar Iqbal (Former MLC), Javed Hassan Beig (Former MLA), Noor Mohammad Sheikh (Former MLA) Choudhary Qamar Hussain (Former MLA), Raja Manzoor Ahmad (Former MLA). (KNO)
