Srinagar, Nov 15 (KNS): Three former chief ministers along with their party leaders of Jammu and Kashmir are refusing to secure their release on a bond that prohibits them from speaking against the Centre’s move to abrogate the Article 370 and bifurcation of the state into two union territories.

Three chief ministers Farooq Abdullah, his son Omar Abdullah, and Mehbooba Mufti are under detention since the centre abrogated the Article 370 on August 5. Top leaders of National Conference and Peoples Democratic Party are under detention in various sub jails of Srinagar.

The detainees are asked to sign a document to secure their release which prohibits them from making any statements against abrogation of Article 370, which guaranteed special status of Jammu and Kashmir, sources said.

However, Farooq, Omar, and Mehbooba along with several other leaders have refused to sign on such bond and instead prefer to stay under detention.

A PDP leader said Mehbooba had refused to sign on the bond.

“The government made few attempts to get her sign on the bond which she refused,” he said.

Under Section 107, the bail bond asks the detainees “not to commit a breach of peace” or “do an act that may probably occasion a breach of the peace”.

Similarly, National Conference leaders, Farooq and Omar have refused to sign on the bond. “Both leaders said they won’t succumb to the pressure tactic of the government and won’t secure their release on bond,” a National Conference leader said.
“They (Farooq and Omar) said that they will not accept the legal remedy till other political leaders in the valley are not freed,” he said.

The bond reads that such remarks, statements or gatherings have the potential of endangering the peace and tranquillity and law and order in the state.
Detainees are also asked to deposit Rs 10,000 as surety, and in case they breach the bond, they have to pay Rs 40,000.

While Farooq who was slapped with Public Safety Act (PSA) is detained in his house, Omar is under kept under detention at Hari Niwas guest house, which has been converted into sub jail. Similarly, Mehbooba is at Cheshmashahi hut, which too has been converted into jail.

Apart from the NC, and PDP leaders, heads of other parties including Peoples Conference Sajjad Gani Lone, JKP Peoples Movement, bureaucrat turned politicians Shah Faesal too are detained along with their party members are detained. (KNS)