Political leaders detained at Centaur shifted to MLA Hostel

Srinagar, Nov 17 (KNS): Jammu and Kashmir administration on Sunday shifted the detained leaders of National Conference (NC), PDP, Peoples Conference and J&K Peoples Movement (JKPM) to MLA Hostel from Centaur Hotel, officials told KNS.

33 politicians, including former ministers and legislators, who were detained after August 5 when the Center abrogated the special status of Jammu and Kashmir under Article 370, were lodged at Centaur hotel-turned-sub-jail. As the Centaur is close to the banks of the Dal lake and is usually colder than the other places, the detainees were facing hardships in the absence of proper heating arrangements at the facility, sources said.

“The winter chill was taking a toll on the health of the detainees due to which the shifting became necessary. Also the Centaur Hotel, owned by the Indian Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC), submitted a bill of whopping Rs 2.65 crore to the Home Department for 90 days of boarding and lodging of over 35 detainees. The administration has, however, rejected the claims of Centaur Hotel, and argued that the facility was converted into a subsidiary jail on August 5 and therefore, only the government rates would be paid,” an official privy to the developments told KNS.

Those who were shifted to MLA Hostel today include, Peoples Conference chairman Sajjad Lone, PDF President Hakim Mohammad Yaseen, NC leaders Ali Mohammad Sagar, Mubarak Gul, Altaf Kaloo, Ishfaq Jabbar, Irfan Shah and Dr Bashir Veeri, PDP leaders Nizam-ud-Din Bhat, Mohamamd Ashraf Mir, Zahoor Mir, Aijaz Ahmad Mir, Mohammad Yosuf Bhat, Nayeem Akhtar, Yasir Reshi, Khurshid Aalam and Waheed Parra and former IAS officer and JKPM chief Dr Shah Faesal and deputy mayor of SMC Sheikh Imran.

Sources said CCTV cameras have been installed in all the rooms at MLA Hostel where the leaders were kept.

PDP President and former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, who was detained at a tourist hut in Cheshmashahi area was shifted to a government bungalow near Sangramal Shopping complex. (KNS) 

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