Hurriyat hardliner Alam released from jail on orders of J&K Govt

PTI
JAMMU, MARCH 7

Masarat Alam, leader of the hardline-faction of Hurriyat, who had allegedly spearheaded the stone-pelting agitations in the Kashmir valley in 2008 and 2010, has been released from prison following the new government’s policy of freeing political prisoners who do not face criminal charges.
The orders for the release of 42-year-old Mr Alam, chief of the Jammu Kashmir Muslim League, has been issued by the Home Department and he is technically free, said a top police official in Baramulla, where he is lodged in the prison.
A number of lives were lost during the stone-pelting agitation in the valley.
Earlier in the day, Mr Rajendra said that police will comply with the directions of Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, who has sought release of all political prisoners who do not face any criminal charge.“Yes, all the directions issued by the government (on release of political prisoners from jails in the state) will be complied with. Let us be assured about it,” DGP J&K, K Rajendra Kumar told reporters in Jammu today.
He was asked whether the process of release of political prisoners has begun at the level of the police.
“Any direction coming from the government would be looked into and would be worked out,” the DGP said.
In a meeting with the police chief in Jammu on Wednesday, Mr Sayeed had asked the police to initiate a process of releasing all political prisoners in the State against whom no criminal charges have been registered.
He had also directed the DGP to prepare a comprehensive plan for the rehabilitation of surrendered and released militants.
Asked whether police has formulated any plan for release of separatists, including those who took part in stone pelting in 2008 and 2010, he said, “We will get back to you. We will come back with our views when we are ready with the blue print.”
“At the moment, we will not be able to say much on that. Let us work on that then we will get back to you,” he said.

Sayeed’s comments tantamount to treason: Shiv Sena

IANS
MUMBAI, MARCH 7

The recent comments by Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Mohammed Sayeed on Pakistan and hanged parliament attack convict Afzal Guru tantamount to “treason” and “contempt of Supreme Court”, the Shiv Sena said on Saturday.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) earlier this month allied with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to form the government in Jammu and Kashmir.
“Right after the swearing-in ceremony at which Prime Minister Narendra Modi was present, Sayeed credited Pakistan and Pakistani-supported terrorists for allowing the peaceful elections in Jammu and Kashmir,” the Shiv Sena said.
A day later, Sayeed and his PDP demanded handing over of the remains of hanged terrorist Afzal Guru – who was guilty of the attack on Indian parliament – to the state.
The Shiv Sena pointed out that the credit for successful elections vests with the Election Commission, the people who queued up braving terror threats, and the Indian armed forces which fights terrorists 24×7.
“However, by crediting Pakistan and terrorists, Sayeed has insulted all of them (EC, people and armed forces), and by demanding remnants of Afzal Guru, he has crossed all limits of treason,” the Shiv Sena said in a stinging edit in party mouthpiece Saamana.
“After all, Afzal Guru was a criminal, and sympathising with him tantamounts to a contempt of Supreme Court and a bonfire of Indian laws. If Sayeed continues in this vein, the country will have to pay a heavy price,” it warned, adding that even the BJP would have to suffer for allying with PDP in governing the border state.
Lashing out at the PDP patron, the Shiv Sena said those who know the Sayeed family and their PDP would never have allied with it, nor was Sayeed ever regarded as a patriotic Indian.