Srinagar, July 31:Authorities on Friday released Peoples Conference (PC) chairman Sajad Gani Lone, who was under “preventive detention” since August 5, 2019.

“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,” Lone tweeted.

Lone was put under detention on August 4 last year after he participated in an all-party meeting held at former Chief Minister and NC president Farooq Abdullah’s residence to chalk out strategy for safeguarding J&K’s special status.

After being detained under the  Criminal Procedure Code(CrPC), Lone was lodged at SKICC and kept kept there until November, following which he was shifted to MLA hostel.

On February 5, Lone was released from MLA hostel Srinagar and shifted to government accommodation at Church Lane here.

Lone, who has massive public support in north Kashmir, was the first prominent separatist politician to participate in electoral process in the past three decades.

Meanwhile, former Chief Minister and National Conference vice-President Omar Abdullah welcomed release of Lone.

“Good to hear that Sajad Lone has been released from illegal house arrest. I hope others under similar illegal detention will also be released without delay,” Omar tweeted.

Peoples Democratic Party leader and former Minister Naeem Akther also welcomed release of Lone

“Mubarak! This was a jail term in which the trial begins only after release. Great pleasure to have remained together for a long time, enough to know each other better and appreciate that no two Kashmiris have no reason to fight each other. For there are no prizes to win,” he tweeted—(KNO)