Srinagar: Firing its first salvo at the new government in Jammu and Kashmir, the Hurriyat Conference on December 14 accused the Mufti Mohammed Sayeed-led ministry of failing to live up to its poll promises and described it as a "puppet" in the hands of the Centre.

"Hurriyat has been saying all long that the government in Jammu and Kashmir is a puppet in the hands of the Central government. That is why change in government or elections can never solve the Kashmir issue," a spokesman of the multi-party conglomerate said.

"Sayeed's party had promised to provide a healing touch to the people of the state but it must have realised by now that the state government has to function as directed by the Centre," he said.

The government had promised to release all political prisoners in the state, disband the Special Operations Group (SOG) and put an end to custodial killings. "But these promises have remained as promises only," the spokesman said.

"Sayeed must have realised his helplessness when the Centre forced him to stop the process after releasing some political prisoners," he said.

PTI