Families allowed to meet detained former CMs

Omar is lodged at Hari Niwas guest house along the Gupkar which has been turned into a sub jail. The other former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti, 59,  is lodged in Cheshmashahi hut number 211 of Jammu and Kashmir Tourist Development Corporation (JKTDC) which is barely 5 kms from Omar’s detention centre.  

Initially, both were lodged at Hari Niwas, but Mehbooba was shifted three days later to Cheshmashahi hut, on government directions. 

The two former chief ministers were detained hours ahead of the scrapping of J&K special constitutional position and bifurcation of the state into two union territories. Kashmir has been on edge ever since the central action.

Sources said that families of the two former CMs have been allowed to meet the incarcerated leaders at their respective detention centres from August 22.   This week Omar met his sister Safia, her children and aunt Suriya. On the other hand Mehbooba’s mother Gulshan and her sister Rubia were allowed to meet her.  On Eid day (August 12), J &K government facilitated a phone call between Omar and his father Farooq Abdullah.  Member Parliament Abdullah has been under house detention after the scrapping of Article 370.    

Of late, Omar, otherwise a fitness freak, has now been going for a regular walk within the jail premises.

“Omar has not shaved after his arrest and has grown a beard,” sources said.

They said while Omar and Mehbooba have no access to TV, they have been provided radio sets by the authorities.

“As per the Standard Operation Procedure, no recording device is allowed inside the detention centre.  So no mobile phone has been provided to them” said an official, wishing not to be named.    He said Omar had requested for a DVD player, which was provided to him. He has also been provided with some books for reading.