Unanimous Unity : J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah And Mehbooba Mufti Welcome Release of Activist Sonam Wangchuk

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Welcoming the revocation of the NSA against Ladakh activist Sonam Wangchuk, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah called for the release of those arrested in the valley during the recent anti-US and anti-Israel protests.

“He should not have been arrested. His arrest was wrong and that too under the NSA,” Abdullah told reporters on the sidelines of Spring Festival at Badamwari.

He emphasised that the situation in Ladakh should remain stable and insisted that, just as the promises made to Jammu and Kashmir need to be fulfilled, the same applies to Ladakh. Abdullah noted that just like Wangchuk’s case, those facing minor charges or those who have spent longer in jail than their sentence would otherwise be should be released as well.

“Given the sanctity of this holy month of Ramadan, with Eid almost a week away, it would be appropriate to extend similar consideration to others, just as was done with Wangchuk,” he stated.

PDP too  welcomed the Centre’s decision to revoke the detention of Ladakhi activist Sonam Wangchuk under the National Security Act (NSA), saying the stringent law should never have been invoked against the environmentalist.

Mehbooba Mufti, former chief minister of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir also welcomed the Supreme Court’s decision to grant bail to separatist leader Shabir Ahmad Shah. “The NSA should not have been invoked against Sonam Wangchuk in the first place. He has done so much for the environment. Also, he was a fan of the BJP, this should not have happened to him,” Mufti told reporters.

“Thankfully, he has got his right. However, there are many more people who are lodged in jails under UAPA and do not have the wherewithal to fight legal battles. Many of them are languishing in jail for years without a trial,” she said