Valley News Desk

Srinagar, Oct 28, KNT: Sarjan Barkati who had been arrested in 2016 for taking part in protest during 2016 mass agitation after the death of Hizb Commander Burhan Wani has been released, his better-half Sabroz told news agency KNT over phone.

“He has not reached to his home yet but yes, he has been freed from police station Hurpora Shopian and is on way to his home,” she said.

Sarjan Barkati who earned sobriquets like ‘Azaadi Chacha’ and ‘Pied Piper’, was arrested by police in 2016 and immediately booked under the stringent Public Safety Act (PSA).

Family and relatives were demanding his release from past couple of years. They even staged multiple protests before the abrogation of Article 370.

Barkati was arrested on charges of organizing and addressing anti-India rallies, which drew hundreds of youth in south Kashmir during the civilian unrest in 2016. (KNT)