Release all political prisoners before Eid, Tarigami to Govt

Srinagar, Jun 13: Urging the Government to release all political prisoners before Eid festival, senior CPI (M) leader Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami on Wednesday said that though Ramazan ceasefire has brought some respite on the ground, it needs to be followed up with political initiatives and confidence building measures.

However, a Jammu and Kashmir police spokesman said that there was no political prisoner lodged in any jails of the state. “Close to two dozen persons are lodged under various segments, including Public Safety Act (PSA) and for secessionist activities in the state,” he said.

“Political prisoners languishing in different jails within and outside the state must be released before Eid as a goodwill gesture. Freeing political prisoners on Eid can turn out to be a good Confidence Building Measure (CBM),” Mr Tarigami, who is the MLA from Kulgam, said.

He said political prisoners languishing in Tihar jail, including Shabir Shah are reportedly not feeling well and it is a good time to release all of them. “All the possible steps and CBMs need to be taken to move a step towards strengthening the efforts for peace,” he added.