Advisory board questions PPP chief War in Srinagar central jail

Srinagar, Oct 15 (UNI) The Advisory Board appointed by the Jammu and Kashmir government today questioned Peoples Political Party (PPP) chief Hilal Ahmad War, detained under Public Safety Act (PSA) in the central jail here.

Official sources said the board members, headed by Justice Makhan Lal Koul questioned Mr War in the jail for half-a-hour from 1100 hrs.

They said the board members intrrogated Mr War in presence of jail superintendent about his involvement in different incidents since 1990.

The Board is authorised to question each detenue arrested under PSA on the orders of District Magistrate. It has to submit its report to government for confirmation of the PSA.

Mr War was arrested on July 26 in connection with two bomb blasts at Gulmarg on July 20 and Batmaloo on July 21 in which several people were killed and scores wounded.

However, on September 9, police claimed to have arrested militants responsible for causing blasts at Gulmarg and Batmaloo in north Kashmir.

On July 21, War had asked those non-subjects, particularly Biharis, who were allegedly indulging in immoral activities to leave the valley. However, he said that students, doctors, engineers and other professionals were welcome in the valley.

A spokesman of the PPP said one of the charges against War was for provoking people and also participating in demonstration during Amarnath land row.

He said the PPP chairman was in jail when the demonstrations took place and question of his involvement does not arise.

Mr War was also accused by the District Magistrate of forming an anti Indian party in 1990. Questioning this charge, the spokesman said Mr War was studying in Bangalore.

He said the only mistake committed by Mr War was that he had asked for reopening of Srinagar-Muzaffarabad road before it was finally thrown open in 2005.

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