Srinagar, Jan 18 (UNI) Three former chief ministers (CMs) and several heads of different mainstream political parties remained under detention in the Kashmir valley, where government has announced election for vacant panchayat seats.
Polling in eight phases will be held next month for all vacant panchayat seats in Jammu and Kashmir and process of issuing of poll notification has already been started.
Majority of these leaders, including three ex CMs—Dr Farooq Abdullah, his son Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti—and several dozens of other leaders were detained on August 5, when the Centre scrapped Article 370 which gave special status to Jammu and Kashmir. However, about 30 leaders, including former ministers and legislators, were released after they gave an undertaking that they will not raise the issue of abrogation of special status of the state.