Srinagar, Aug 19 (IANS): National Conference President Farooq Abdullah has called a meeting of senior party leaders on Thursday, days after the J&K government told the court that the party leadership is free and not under any kind of detention.

A National Conference statement said that Party President Farooq Abdullah has invited senior party members including Ali Mohammad Sagar, Abdul Rahim Rather, Mohammad Shafi Uri and Nasir Aslam Wani for a meeting at his residence on 20.8.2020 at 5 pm.

"National Conference has taken cognisance of the stand taken by the Government in Hon'ble High Court in the Habeas Corpus matters filed by the President and Vice President of the party for securing the liberty of various leaders of the party that have been under an illegal house detention," a party statement read.

"On a perusal of the reply the party has noticed that the government has unequivocally submitted before the High Court that no leader is under detention and that they are free to move subject to necessary security arrangements."

The statement further read that the party is mindful of the present pandemic and accordingly the meeting with various leaders that have been under detention will be done in batches of four members per meeting.

"Needless to add that all SOPs shall be strictly followed by all concerned," the statement read. "The Party is hopeful that the liberty of the members under detention is now absolute and the meeting is held successfully on the appointed day."