Srinagar: On the directions of court, Muhammad Yasin Malik, ailing chairman of Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front has been released from central jail Srinagar.
The Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) is a political organisation in Jammu & Kashmir founded by Amanullah Khan and Maqbool Bhat. Originally a militant wing of the Plebiscite Front, it changed its name to JKLF in Birmingham, England on May 29, 1977. From then until 1994 it was an active militant organisation. It first established branches in several cities and towns of the UK, and other countries of Europe, United States and Middle East. In 1982, it established a branch in Pakistan-administered Azad Kashmir; in 1987, a branch in Indian-administered Kashmir Valley.
After 1994, the JKLF in Kashmir Valley, under the leadership of Yasin Malik, declared an ‘indefinite ceasefire’ and reportedly disbanded its military wing. It committed itself to a political struggle for achieving its objective of independence for the entire region of the former princely state. The JKLF branch in Azad Kashmir did not agree with this change of direction and split off from the JKLF in the Valley. In 2005, the two groups merged again retaining the original identity.
Principal and Sessions Judge Srinagar had ordered his release from Central Jail on Friday while complying with court directions, and the authorities on Saturday released him.
Malik had been arrested on July 21 last month while leading a pro-freedom rally in Dalgate area of Srinagar city.
(With inputs from CNS)
