The National Conference on Monday reiterated its demand of releasing all political leaders from detention and restoration of political activities in Jammu and Kashmir. Terming the detention of political leaders“unprecedented and undemocratic”, NC Secretary Rattan Lal Gupta said it was imperative to release all the leaders and others detained since August 5 when the Centre revoked the provisions of Article 370, which gave special status to Jammu and Kashmir.

Three former chief ministers — National Conference presidentFarooq Abdullah and his son Omar Abdullah, and PDP president Mehbooba Mufti —are among the mainstream politicians currently under detention in Kashmir. “Thedetention of the political leaders is against the democratic ethos of the country,”Gupta said in a statement here. He also sought a survey of the damages causedto the fruit cultivation by the recent snowfall in the valley and advocatedinterim compensation to the affected.

Gupta said the government must expedite restoration of powersupply and road connectivity by undertaking snow clearance measures across thevalley and in parts of Jammu region.