On Tuesday, former Assam Chief Minister and senior Congress leer Tarun Gogoi condemned Centre for charging National Conference chairman Farooq Abdullah under stringent provisions of Public Safety Act (PSA). This will allow law enforcement authorities to detain an individual for 6 months without holding a trial. Terming action as a “blatant misuse of power”, he reckoned that this was a threat to democracy in country. octogenarian leer has been kept under house arrest since day of revocation of special status of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K). 

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‘Provided oxygen to Pakistan’ 

Gogoi alleged that Abdullah’s detention was akin to violation of constitutional provisions of liberty and dignity of every citizen of India. Referring to Supreme Court’s remarks that asked Centre to restore rmalcy in J&K soon, he said that situation in state was very serious. He furr ded that clampdown on rights and detention of political leers h alienated people of J&K and provided leeway to Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan, ensuring his survival.  

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“ abrogation of Article 370 and decision to split rrn most state into two parts -  union territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Lakh without taking stakeholders into confidence is contrary to basic principles of democracy. Such an arbitrary decision in a democratic country like India is t a healthy sign.  BJP government may have got  mandate but it should t misuse its power. It should have taken opposition parties into confidence," he said. 

former Assam CM urged Union government to call for an all-party meeting, where restoration of rmalcy in J&K could be discussed. 

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Sibal links PSA to Vaiko 

Earlier in day, senior vocate and Congress leer Kapil Sibal questioned  Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over imposition of PSA on Abdullah 43 days after his original date of detention. He also recollected Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s statement on floor of Parliament, where Shah h stated that Abdullah h neir been detained r arrested. Furrmore, he drew a link between timing of PSA charges and  Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK) chief Vaiko’s Habeas Corpus plea in SC pertaining to National Conference chairman. 

(With PTI inputs)

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