Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Conference (JKPC) chief Sajad Ghani Lone, who was released from detention just five days short of the anniversary of abrogation of Article 370, said he coped up by reading books, exercising and helping his children with studies. “They (kids and wife) have been home for the past two months. It was frustrating, but I tried to keep myself busy,” Lone told THE WEEK.
The news of his release became public after Lone himself tweeted the development earlier on Friday. “Finally, five days short of a year, I have been officially informed that I am a free man. So much has changed. So have I. Jail was not a new experience. Earlier ones were harsh with usual doses of physical torture. But this was psychologically draining. Much to share hopefully soon," he tweeted. Lone is married to Asma Khan, daughter of JKLF founder Amanullah Khan. They have twin sons.
Sources said Lone, a former ally of the BJP and brother of Hurriyat Conference leader Bilal Lone, will have an important role in reviving democracy in Jammu and Kashmir.
They said the JKPC leader has been asked not to move until after the anniversary of scrapping Article 370. The BJP has planned to celebrate the event in J&K by organising various functions.
The release of Lone has come amid demand by NC leaders, Farooq Abdullah and Omar Abdullah, for the restoration of statehood to J&K. Both Farooq and Omar have faced a lot of criticism in Kashmir for compromising on the question of autonomy.
Lone was among the more than 50 political leaders who were detained after the revocation of Article 370 by the BJP government on August 5, 2019.
JKPC had allied with the BJP in the 2015 assembly elections that brought the PDP-BJP coalition to power. The coalition collapsed in June 2018 after the BJP withdrew support to the PDP.