SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday called for the release of young people recently detained in the Valley during protests against the killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei.
He suggested that, as a goodwill gesture similar to the release of Ladakh activist Sonam Wangchuk, the cases against these youths should be revoked.
“Given the sanctity of the holy month of Ramadan and Eid almost a week away, it would be in fitness that things similar to what was done to Sonam Wangchuk should be done in other places, do it here,” Abdullah told reporters in Srinagar.
The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) today revoked the detention of Ladakh climate activist and innovator Sonam Wangchuk and released him, six months after being arrested and booked under stringent NSA after September 24, 2025 violence in Leh in which four persons were killed and 80 others injured.
“Those youngsters who were detained last week and those against whom FIRs have been registered, many of them are first time offenders and many of them hardly participated in a protest. I think as a measure and expression of goodwill, revoking the cases against them and releasing some of these people from jail would be a good thing,” Omar said.
Police have detained scores of youth after two-day massive protests in Srinagar and other parts of the Valley against the killing of Khamenei in a joint US-Israeli raid. While the protests were largely peaceful, there were some incidents of stone pelting.
Calling for peace in West Asia, Omar said, “We want this unjust war imposed on the people of Iran should stop”.
Criticising the United States and Israel, the CM said, “I have been saying it time and again that the US and Israel don’t get to decide who is the leader of Iran. That is for the community, people and citizens of Iran to decide”.
On assassination of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Omar said, “Khamenei was not the leader of Iran only but he was the religious leader of the entire Muslim Ummah”.
“So this should not be seen as conflict with Iran, it has far wider implications,” he said.
On the US allowing India to purchase Russian oil and Iran allowing Indian oil tankers, Omar said, “No matter what is done for India, we will benefit but ultimately we will benefit when peace prevails and we want this unjust war to end. “
