Archives

NEW DELHI, Wednesday (AFP) Indian Deputy Prime Minister L.K Advani Tuesday urged Indian Kashmir's newly-installed government to be cautious when releasing political prisoners in the state.

"If there are any charges against a person which the state government feels are not valid, it can be screened by a committee, duly empowered and qualified to decide on that issue," Advani told the Press Trust of India news agency.

"Basically, I am more concerned that the state government and the central government fully co-operate in dealing with cross-border terrorism which is a serious problem. We should not see a rise in cross-border terrorism."

Senior separatist leader Yasin Malik was freed from prison Monday, part of an effort by Indian-administered Kashmir's new leaders to restore peace in the troubled Himalayan state.

Malik, who led the once-outlawed Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) but is now a leading moderate, was arrested March 25 after police alleged that 100,000 dollars from anti-Indian groups in Pakistan was funnelled to him via Nepal.

Malik is an executive member of Kashmir's main separatist alliance, the All Parties Hurriyat Conference.

He was one of a number of political prisoners ordered released by newly-elected Kashmir chief minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed. 

News | Business | Features | Editorial | Security
Politics | World | Letters | Sports | Obituaries |

Produced by Lake House
Copyright 2001 The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd.
Comments and suggestions to :Web Manager