On 30 November 2010, human rights defender Mr Mian Abdul Qayoom was re-arrested as he left Kot Bhalwal jail in Jammu and is currently being held in Hiranagar jail under a 10-day judicial custody order.

Further Information

Three days previously, on 27 November, the High Court of Kashmir quashed his detention under the Jammu and Kashmir Public Safety Act of 1978 (PSA). Mian Abdul Qayoom is the president of the Jammu and Kashmir High Court Bar Association, Srinagar.

On 27 November 2010 the Jammu and Kashmir High Court reserved its order to overthrow the detention order against Mian Abdul Qayoom and release him from prison following almost 5 months in custody under the PSA.

Upon leaving the prison Mian Abdul Qayoom was re-arrested and brought before the court of a judicial magistrate. He was detained under a 10-day judicial custody order allegedly in connection with a case that had been registered against him at Hiranagar police station on charges of sedition.

According to local Police Superintendent Gareeb Dass, Mian Abdul Qayoom was re-arrested because it was alleged that during his time in detention in Hiranagar Jail, Kathua district, he was instrumental in encouraging people to wage war against the India. Mr Qayoom had previously been arrested under the PSA on 7 July 2010.

Front Line is concerned for the physical and psychological integrity of Mian Abdul Qayoom, particularly while being held in detention at Hiranagarjail and believes that he has been targeted solely as a result of his work in the defence of human rights.

please see the original case of Front Line on 23rd July