Srinagar, Jul 31:
Upping the ante at J&K Union Territory administration over the controversy of senior Congress leader Prof Saif-ud-Din Soz’s house detention, the mainstream political parties have come out in his support, saying that the government has been lying about not putting politicians in ‘unofficial detentions’ in the valley. Meanwhile, Prof Soz, who is a former Union Minister, on Friday, reiterated that he continued to remain under house arrest, saying his ‘detention shows how civil liberties stand suppressed in Kashmir. The J&K administration had on Wednesday informed the Supreme Court (SC) that there are no curbs on the movement of Prof Soz. However, a video showing Prof Soz not being allowed to move out of his house in Srinagar and talk to media has sparked controversy, prompting all mainstream political parties in J&K coming in support of the former Union Minister. Later, Jammu and Kashmir Principal Secretary Rohit Kansal took to twitter to defend the government, claiming that Prof Soz was not under house arrest or detained as he visited Delhi twice in October and December and there was no question of lying in Supreme Court (SC). Mr Kansal said the former Union Minister was free to go wherever he likes with usual security drill. “Mr. Saiffudin Soz former MP and Minister not under arrest or detention. He has been to Delhi twice- in October and December. Free to go wherever he likes with usual security drill. No question of lying in Hon SC,” Mr Kansal wrote on twitter.
However, lashing out at Kansal, former chief minister and National Conference (NC) vice-president Omar Abdullah said that Prof Soz traveled for medical reasons and was detained at home as soon as he returned.
“I’m sorry Rohit but it’s better to let the official twitter handles put out the propaganda. I’ve worked closely with you & it’s disappointing to see your handle put out this tweet. Soz sb traveled for medical reasons & was detained at home as soon as he returned,” Mr Abdullah wrote on twitter.
Mr Abdullah also asked Mr Kansal to elaborate on the security drill. “Incidentally what’s the security drill? Would you care to elaborate? Does he need permission every time he wants to leave his house?” he wrote.
He said it took his colleague more than 72 hours and his cardiologist’s intervention before he was permitted to travel to Delhi for a checkup.
“The moment he returned to Srinagar he was detained again & I’m sure when his case comes up in the High Court the government will claim he’s not detained. It’s very convenient because there are no formal detention papers, just instructions to the police at the gate,” he wrote.
“Soz Sahib’s plight is not unique. @JKNC_ has gone to court because more than 15 of our colleagues are similarly illegally detained & I have no doubt the administration will claim they aren’t detained. As if any of these people would sit at home for a year of their own free will,” Mr Abdullah added.
