PDP to free more political prisoners

Contentious issue: Separatist's release not discussed, says Modi

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), ruling Jammu and Kashmir in alliance with the BJP, on Monday asserted that it would go ahead with its decision to release all political prisoners.

This, despite Prime Minister Narendra Modi's statement that his government would not tolerate any step that undermined India's unity.

“It is not fit in any part of the country to keep any person in jail without trial or charge. Why are double standards being applied? We will not keep any prisoners unless there are sufficient reasons to keep them in jail,” PDP chief spokesman Nayeem Akhtar, a close aide of Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, told Deccan Herald.

“We are part of a democracy, and the people of Jammu and Kashmir are also entitled to their democratic rights. We can’t keep people in jail illegally for life,” he said, adding that people have reposed their faith in democracy, and they must get a dividend in return.

However, the PDP maintained that Bhat’s release was part of the judicial process. “We can’t let a person languish in jail forever, even after court has released him,” said Akhtar.

Asked about Modi’s statement in Parliament, he said, “The prime minister is entitled to his opinion, but the state government has done nothing against the law.”

He also lashed out at opposition parties—the National Conference (NC) and the Congress—over the issue. “Militancy is the outcome of the rigging of 1987 elections by the NC and the Congress. They want to take Kashmir back (to militancy), but Mufti (Mohammad Sayeed) sahib won’t allow that to happen,” he said.

Meanwhile, to convey displeasure over the “unilateral” decision to release Bhat, a nine-member BJP delegation called on the chief minister in Jammu on Monday, demanding the separatist leader's re-arrest.

Sources said the delegation, led by state BJP general secretary and MLA Rajiv Jasrotia, handed over a memorandum to Sayeed in this regard.