Srinagar, December 30: The Jammu & Kashmir administration on Monday released five former legislators from detention. The leaders were taken into custody over four months ago, when the special status of Jammu & Kashmir was revoked through abrogation of Article 370. Even as the five ex-MLAs have been released, the three top political leaders of the state -- former chief ministers Farooq Abdullah, Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti still remain detained. Jammu And Kashmir: MHA Decides to Withdraw 72 Companies of CAPFs Months After Article 370 Repeal.

The five Kashmir political leaders who were released today include  Ishfaq Jabbar and Ghulam Nabi Bhat, Bashir Mir and Zahoor Mir and Yasir Reshi. Two among them are from the People's Democratic Party (PDP), two from the National Conference and one Independent. All of them were detained on August 5, 2019.

Update by ANI

The release of former legislators signal the improvement of political situation in the Valley, which has been derailed since the repeal of Article 370. In the recently held J&K block development council elections, the three major parties -- PDP, NC and Congress -- had abstained from the polling process. Despite their boycott, 98 percent turnout was recorded in the local body elections.

Apart from political leaders, scores of separatists, activists and suspected stone pelters were taken into custody following the shock August 5 decision. Over 5,500 were detained by the police as a prohibitory measure, but the majority among them were gradually released. The communication restrictions have also been partially lifted, but the curb on prepaid phones and internet services continue to remain in the Valley.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 30, 2019 06:06 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).