The number of political detainees following reading down of Article 370 is still unknown and could be as high as 3,000. The aim is to ensure that there is no protest against the Modi government's decision. Hundreds of ex-lawmakers, party leaders and political workers are being held at known and unknown locations in and outside Kashmir.

Several posh properties in Srinagar have been turned into jails. The Wire visited the Centaur Hotel on Dal Lake where people like Sajjad Lone, Imran Ansari, Omar’s political advisor Tanveer Sadiq and Shah Faesal are jailed.

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