National Conference Provincial President Devender Singh Rana on Tuesday welcomed the release of former chief minister Omar Abdullah, describing it a step in the right direction.
“It is a defining moment that will go a long way in further strengthening democracy and initiating genuine political activities in Jammu and Kashmir”, Rana said in a statement issued.
He expressed the hope that the release of Omar Abdullah would be followed by the release of all other political leaders against whom there are no criminal charges. “This is imperative for generating an atmosphere of trust and creating conducive conditions to resume healthy political discourse in the larger interest of the people,” said Rana.
He said the National Conference has always been a strong votary of democracy and secularism, which he described as the “cherished agenda of Sher-e-Kashmir Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah and political philosophy of the party that stands guarantee to steering Jammu and Kashmir to peace and prosperity.”
Omar Abdullah was earlier in the day released from a nearly eight-month detention after the government revoked the Public Safety Act slapped on him.