Post 370: Centre touches base with Abdullah, Mufti

JAMMU: For the first time after the two former chief ministers among many other political leaders were detained following the Centre’s decision to abrogate Jammu and Kashmir’s special status and bifurcate the State into two union territories, the New Delhi has reached out to Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti, The News Now has learnt.

A high-level team of officials and representatives from the Central government also comprising of security and intelligence agencies have met with the duo, who are currently under solitary detention since August 5.

While National Conference leader Omar Abdullah has been put up at Hari Niwas Palace, PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti is detained at the Chashme Shahi.

“The meeting with the two leaders happened earlier this week and the discussion continued for two days,” a highly placed source informed this scribe.

Another source confirmed that Central team was indeed camping in Srinagar for two days earlier this week.

The discussions which the officials held on behalf of Centre with Omar and Mehbooba revolved around giving them the liberty in gradual manner before their release from the detention.

“Yes, the initial discussions have taken place with both these leaders upon how to ease them back into Kashmir. In the first phase, the relatives of Omar and Mehbooba would be allowed to meet them and if all goes well, the two can also meet other political leaders at some point in time,” an official in know of the development informed.

Omar’s father and NC chief Farooq Abdullah is the third big mainstream politician to be under house-arrest, even as several other important leaders have been detained in Kashmir—some of them shifted out of J&K—since August 5.

“Omar and Mehbooba have been advised by New Delhi to take a positive approach to politics and be responsible to maintain peace and tranquility in Kashmir, if and when they are released,” the sources said.

While the security forces are ensuring prevention of any untoward incident in Kashmir, the Centre doesn’t want to take any risk with the mainstream politicians either. If Omar and Mehbooba agree not to start any agitation or mobilise any crowd upon their release, a large number of people associated with NC and PDP would also fall in line, sources informed.

When asked, how did the two former chief minister took to the Centre’s suggestions, the sources informed that the duo have sought more time to decide on it.

“Expect more such discussions with other Valley leaders in near future,” the sources informed The News Now.