Shabir Shah released today

Srinagar, May 22: In Srinagar, senior APHC leader and Chairman of the Democratic Freedom Party, Shabbir Ahmad Shah, was released, today, on Friday, after nine months of illegal detention under draconian Public Safety Act from Srinagar Central Jail.

Shah was arrested on August 22, 2008, after he led a Muzaffarabad Chaloo rally. Despite court quashing his detention orders, he was kept under detention.

On August 11 last year, Shah along with another senior APHC leader and Chairman of Jammu and Kashmir Peoples League, Sheikh Abdul Aziz led a march towards Muzaffarabad to protest against economic blockade of Kashmir Valley by fanatic Hindus in Jammu.  Aziz, it may be recalled, was martyred by troops firing and Shah went hiding but was arrested on August 22, 2008. 

Soon after his release Shah was received by hundreds of party activists who straightway drove to Martyrs graveyard at Eidgah to pay homage to those who lost their lives for the righteous cause of freedom.

"I will not be cowed down by the detention. I will continue to work for the unity of the liberation camp and freedom of Kashmir," Shah told gatherings at various places in Srinagar..

“Martyrdom and detention is part of the ongoing freedom struggle. Till the achievement of our goal, we will continue the struggle," he reiterated.