The latest detention order was issued under the draconian Public Safety Act, which allows detention without charges for up to two years, the officials in Srinagar told Reuters. “Several other regional leaders who have also completed six months under preventive detention are likely to be booked under PSA,” the second official said. Ms Mufti received a PSA order sometime back.Slapping the draconian PSA on 2 ex J&K CMs is expected from an autocratic regime that books 9 year olds for ‘seditious remarks’. Modi’s government has argued that the detention of politicians and internet blackout were needed to maintain order in a region. Ahead of scrapping of IOK’s autonomy, India had detained around 5,000 people including businessmen, civil society members, lawyers and activists to prevent protests breaking out.

Source: The Express Tribune February 07, 2020 07:41 UTC