US diplomat welcomes release of IOK’s former chief minister

Omar Abdullah was kept in detention for 232 days after India’s illegal annexation of the occupied region

US point person for South Asia, Alice Wells has lauded the release of former chief minister of Indian-Occupied Kashmir  (IOK) Omar Abdullah after 232 days, following his arrest after India’s illegal annexation of the occupied region on August 5, 2019.

“We encourage the release of all Kashmiri political leaders & the full restoration of internet services as the COVID19 fight intensifies,” Wells tweeted.

We welcome the release of former Jammu & Kashmir Chief Ministers @OmarAbdullah & Dr. Farooq Abdullah. We encourage the release of all Kashmiri political leaders & the full restoration of internet services as the #COVID19 fight intensifies. AGW

— State_SCA (@State_SCA) March 25, 2020

Earlier on March 24, the Jammu and Kashmir administration revoked the Public Safety Act (PSA) order against the former chief minister.



In a series of tweets, Abdullah expressed gratitude for his release. He thanked his legal team for fighting against his unjust detention in the Supreme Court.

The former chief minister said there is a long road ahead but promised to ensure Jammu and Kashmir “sees better days”.

Abdullah also ensured his part in working to overcome the challenge of the novel coronavirus and appealed to the nation to help.

“On a lighter note if anyone wants tips on surviving quarantine or a lockdown I have months of experience at my disposal, perhaps a blog is in order,” he wrote.

My thanks to all my @JKNC_ colleagues for staying united & staying strong. We have a long & difficult road ahead of us but together we will ensure J&K sees better days.

— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) March 24, 2020

232 days after my detention today I finally left Hari Niwas. It’s a very different world today to the one that existed on 5th August 2019. pic.twitter.com/Y44MNwDlNz

— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) March 24, 2020