Two months after his arrest, J&K police searched and arrested Hilal Akbar Lone, leader of the National Conference (NC) and son of Member of Parliament Mohammad Akbar Lone.
Hilal, who was being held at the Srinagar MLA shelter, has been booked under counter-terrorism laws for “hate speech” that he allegedly delivered while campaigning for the recent DDC elections in the Valley.
In reaction to the arrest, former J&K CM and National Conference Vice President Omar Abdullah tweeted: “The BJP has a completely different standard when it comes to hate speech from its own leaders. They can ask that their hands be cut off, that people be murdered, and that’s fine. Hilal Lone makes a speech and the anti-terror laws are used to hire him. “
On Tuesday, Hilal was formally arrested under the Illicit Activities (Prevention) Act for delivering alleged hate speech at a public demonstration during the DDC elections. Police sources said that an FIR has been filed at the Hajin de Bandipore police station against Hilal in various sections, including Section 13 of the UAPA.
The police have transferred him to Hajin from the MLA shelter.
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