Govt indecisive about releasing political prisoners on Eid

By Mudassir Kuloo

Srinagar, Jun 11: Amid demand for releasing of political prisoners, the government is indecisive to free the pro-freedom detainees on Eid-ul-Fitr.

A senior police official told The Kashmir Monitor that was no proposal to release any political prisoner.

“Only a few days are left to the Eid, but there is no such plan or proposal. The government is still undecided,” the official said.

Several mainstream and separatist groups have been demanding release of the political prisoners on Eid-ul-Fitr.

Senior PDP leader, Nizamuddin Bhat has asked the government to consider releasing the political prisoners and also those who were out on parole.

“Such a decision on eve of Eid-ul-Fitr will come as relief to the suffering families, and boost the initiatives taken for peace and engagement,” he has said.

Hurriyat Conference (M) Chairman, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, and Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front Chairman, Mohammad Yasin Malik, have also demanded release of the prisoners.

“India being a signatory to the Geneva Convention on political prisoners has an obligation to respect the rights of prisoners. But as with other human rights, New Delhi has trampled this right too and is crushing these inmates with impunity,” Malik has said.

Asked about it, Principal Secretary Home Department, R K Goyal, said, “I can’t say anything right now.”