Sources said the move came after the government made several considerations – including a scheduled visit of US President Donald Trump to India in February.

Srinagar, January 15:

Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who has been under detention since August, will be shifted to a bungalow near his official residence in Srinagar this week, sources told NDTV. He will continue to remain under detention though the details are being worked out.

The 49-year-old was placed under detention on August 5 along with two other former Chief Ministers — his father Farooq Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti – on the eve of the government’s move to scrap the special status of Jammu and Kashmir granted under Article 370 of the Constitution and its bifurcation into two union territories.

Sources said the move came after the government made several considerations – including a scheduled visit of US President Donald Trump to India in February. A delegation of Union Ministers is also expected to visit the Kashmir Valley this week.

While the US, among other nations, have backed India’s position that the move in Jammu and Kashmir is an internal matter, concerns have been expressed about the detentions of political leaders and the internet blackout. The US had expressed these concerns again last week.

For the last five months, Mr Abdullah had been staying at Hari Niwas, a state guesthouse. His father, 82-year-old Farooq Abdullah has been under detention at his home.

Former Chief Minister Mehbooba Muftim who is also under detention, will remain at the guest house in Transport Lane for now.

Courtesy: NDTV