Cabinet meeting tomorrow; Decision on separatists’ freedom likely

SYED ALI SAFVI

SRINAGAR, July 25: After failing to curb the growing unrest that has assumed alarming proportions in the valley, state government has finally decided to release incarcerated political leaders to put brakes on frequent protests and clashes, which have been hogging the headlines for the last more than a month.

If sources are to be believed, the state cabinet, which is meeting here on July 27, 2010, is likely to announce the release of some of the incarcerated leaders, who have been languishing in several J&K jails. A list of political detenues is being prepared by the government, the sources added.

Moreover, the state government has reportedly asked New Delhi to immediately give its nod for special employment scheme meant for the rehabilitation of surrendered militants.

According to the reliable sources, the state government, in a bid to restore normalcy in Kashmir, has decided to revoke Public Safety Act (PSA) against Hurriyat Conference (G) chairman, Syed Ali Geelani and over 35 other detained separatist leaders.

“He (Geelani) is likely to be released this week only,” the sources added.

The authorities had slapped PSA against Geelani on June 24. The septuagenarian leader, along with secretary general Tehreek-e-Hurriyet, Mohammad Ashraf Sehrai, were detained on June 20 by the state police in Kupwara and were shifted to Joint Interrogation Centre (JIC) at Humhama in Budgam. Later, after being booked under PSA, Geelani was shifted to Chashma Shahi jail.

The police have also arrested hundreds of youths and subsequently booked them under PSA in the last two months.

In the last month alone, at least a dozen separatist leaders and activists were booked under PSA. Moreover, the police also invoked PSA against Kashmir Bar Association president, Advocate Mian Abdul Qayoom and general G N Shaheen.

Pertinently, senior separatist leaders, Shabir Ahmad Shah and Nayeem Akhtar have been languishing in different jails in J&K for the last several months. Shah, who is presently detained in Kot Bhalwal jail, has been booked four times this year under the draconian law.

The government employed all the tactics to put brakes on growing protests and clashes, but all proved ineffective. From giving lucrative job offers, to adopting contingency plans, to launching crackdown on youth, the government tried it all, but of no avail.

Now, it has decided to try its luck again with an all-new strategy.

The sources said after failing to quell the protests, the state police have advised the government to release Syed Ali Geelani and other senior separatists so that the front line leaders, after keenly observing the ground situation, could call off the strikes.

Significantly, many political parties had asked the government to release the detained separatist leaders.

The crucial working committee meeting of the ruling National Conference (NC), had also demanded release of political detenues in a resolution passed a few days back.

Pertinently, the two-member Amnesty Internal (AI) team, which had come here on a six-day visit on May 17, 2010 had, after investigating the cases of public safety act (PSA) and other draconian laws, urged the state government to release all separatist leaders who were detained under PSA.

Meanwhile, according to the reports, the state government has also urged New Delhi to give its consent to the special employment scheme meant for the rehabilitation of about 20,000 surrendered militants.

Stating that unemployment is a major challenge in the present crisis, the state government asked the Central government to provide employment to those militants, who had laid down their arms, so that they do not resort to protests.

The cabinet meeting is also likely to undertake reshuffle in police and civil administration.