Srinagar: Unfazed by criticism of parties like Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on the
release of political prisoners in Jammu and Kashmir, Chief Minister Mufti Mohammed
Sayeed said on November 13 his government would go ahead with releasing all
political prisoners in the state to create a conducive atmosphere for dialogue.
"It is a matter of our policy and common minimum programme to release all the
political prisoners in the state, which we are bound to implement. We have initiated
the process and it will go on," Sayeed told reporters when asked if he would
continue with the release of the prisoners following Malik's comments daring Sayeed
to contest an election with him to test his popularity in the valley.
Defending the release of political prisoners, Sayeed said, "Democracy is a battle of
ideas. Let them (political prisoners) come out and put forth their point of view and
we will put ours."
"We want to create an atmosphere conducive for a dialogue. We live in a Democratic
country and we have just had free and fair elections in the state," Sayeed
said.
He, however, parried a direct question on the date for release of firebrand Jamat-e-
Islami leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani, saying all cases were being reviewed and
releases would be effected only after the process is completed.
The BJP on November 12 attacked Sayeed's move to release political prisoners, saying
that their release "would send a negative signal and undermine the entire effort to
fight insurgency and terror".
PTI
