Release political prisoners so that dialogue can be held with all ideologies: PDP to GoI

Srinagar: While appreciating the amnesty given to the ‘first time’ stone pelters in the valley, Poeple’s Democratic Party on Wednesday said that political leaders lodged in jails should also be freed so that the ongoing Kashmir dialogue can be held with all political shades.

“We welcome the government of India’s initiative of giving amnesty to first time stone pelters. As the GoI has taken such a measure for political reasons to create a political atmosphere, it becomes necessary that the political leaders also are given freedom from jails so that the initiative taken to hold dialogue with the people of different ideologies becomes a reality,” PDP general secretary Nizam-ud-din Bhat told KNS.

The PDP veteran added that release of the political leadership from jails is needed for the success of dialogue and reconciliation that could take the state out of crises and uncertainty.

Last week, Hurriyat Conference (M) chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq had asked the government that if the government is serious to hold dialogue then they should release all the political prisoners without any further delay.

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He had said that Hurriyat leadership was eager to play their role in promoting atmosphere of peace. He called upon New Delhi to realize that Kashmir needs to be resolved keeping in view the “historic background.”

Meanwhile, the PDP general secretary added that his party has always been propagating the liberty of freedom for the exchange of ideas and has been striving that no innocent is harmed or harassed in Jammu and Kashmir.

“The way the central government is supporting our government, we feel empowered and would want them to release the political prisoners,” Bhat said.

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(With inputs from KNS)