Srinagar, Feb 9 (JKNS): Minister Sakina Itoo on Monday said that the Public Safety Act (PSA) would be withdrawn and youth lodged in jails outside Jammu and Kashmir would be brought back once the Union Territory regains statehood.
Addressing the Legislative Assembly, Minister Itoo as per news agency JKNS, said that the detention of youth and their shifting to prisons outside J&K took place during the tenure of the PDP-BJP government.
She said attempts are being made to target the National Conference on the issue, but maintained that it was not during NC’s rule that such arrests occurred. “When the PDP-BJP government was in power, youngsters were arrested and sent to jails outside the region,” she said.
On the continuation of PSA, Sakina Itoo said the National Conference has clearly outlined its stand in the party manifesto. She said NC is committed to restoring statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, and once that goal is achieved, the PSA will be repealed and cases of detained youth will be reviewed.
The Minister also pointed out that the present elected government does not have the Home Department under its jurisdiction. “Once the Home Department comes under our control, we will take appropriate decisions regarding PSA and related matters,” she added.
Her remarks were made during a heated discussion in the Assembly on the issue of youth detained outside J&K and the future of the Public Safety Act. (JKNS)
