JKPC chairman Sajad Gani Lone released from detention

JKPC chairman Sajad Gani Lone was taken into custody on August 5 last year when the Centre revoked the special status of Jammu and Kashmir and divided the erstwhile state into two union territories.

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir People's Conference (JKPC) chairman Sajad Gani Lone was released from nearly a year-long detention today, officials said.

Lone was released days ahead of the first anniversary of the Centre's move to revoke Article 370 of the Constitution in August last year, the officials said.

Confirming the news of his release, Lone took to Twitter and said, "Finally five days short of a year I have been officially informed that I am a free man. So much has changed. So have I. Jail was not a new experience. Earlier ones were harsh with usual doses of physical torture. But this was psychologically draining. Much to share hopefully soon."

• Finally 5 days short of a year I have been officially informed that I am a free man. So much has changed. So have I. Jail was not a new experience. Earlier ones were harsh with usual doses of physical torture. But this was psychologically draining. Much to share hopefully soon.

  — Sajad Lone (@sajadlone) July 31, 2020 " class="align-text-top noRightClick twitterSection" data="

  Finally 5 days short of a year I have been officially informed that I am a free man. So much has changed. So have I. Jail was not a new experience. Earlier ones were harsh with usual doses of physical torture. But this was psychologically draining. Much to share hopefully soon.

  — Sajad Lone (@sajadlone) July 31, 2020

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  Finally 5 days short of a year I have been officially informed that I am a free man. So much has changed. So have I. Jail was not a new experience. Earlier ones were harsh with usual doses of physical torture. But this was psychologically draining. Much to share hopefully soon.

  — Sajad Lone (@sajadlone) July 31, 2020

The JKPC chairman was moved to his residence in February this year and placed under house arrest, the officials said. They said he was taken into custody on August 5 last year when the Centre revoked the special status of Jammu and Kashmir and divided the erstwhile state into two union territories.

Lone, a former cabinet minister in the PDP-BJP coalition, was kept at makeshift jail at Centaur hotel on the banks of the famous Dal Lake along with other leaders from mainstream parties before they all were moved to MLA hostel. However, in February, Lone and PDP leader Waheed Parra were moved to their residences and were kept under house arrest.