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| Ex-ministers seek release of political detainees as good will gesture on eve of R-Day | | |  KUNAL SHRIVATSA
Early Times Report
Jammu, Jan 23: Advocating release of political leaders held captive in J&K post August 5, the former ministers Ghulam Hassan Mir and Dilawar Mir said that it would be a nice goodwill gesture on the eve of Republic Day.
“There is a tradition that detainees get released on the occasion of Republic Day while in some cases relief is also being granted to some convicts on this day. There are certain individuals who are under preventive detention in J&K. We seek similar goodwill gesture to be initiated here and what is better than to release the political detainees including three former Chief Ministers, who are held captive under house arrest,” said Ghulam Hassan Mir along with Dilawar Mir while addressing a press conference here today.
He said that some of the former legislators recently met Lieutenant Governor in their individual capacity and handed over a memorandum to him adding that it comprised of two main portions one of which specifically underlined matters under the domain of Union Government and need to be addressed by it while the other part highlighted certain issues which need to be addressed by the J&K Government.
“Few former ministers and legislators in their personal capacity met the Lieutenant Governor and submitted charter of demands. The hosts of issues were raised in the memorandum including restriction on mobile internet, J&K’s deteriorating economy, unemployment and release of political prisoners,” Ghulam Hassan Mir said.
“We believe that certain positive developments have taken place since our recent meeting with the Lieutenant Governor as the process of releasing political prisoners began while some youth who were held captive in jails outside J&K were also released,” he added.
Pointing towards restoration of mobile internet service with curtailed speed, the senior leaders said that restoration with only 2G Speed is by and large useless adding that the services should be provided completely.
“Let the people get maximum benefits of the mobile internet facility. There is no use of the service until restored fully. Students, media personnel and businessmen have already suffered a lot due to such curbs and allowed to have easy access to the facility,” they demanded.
The former legislators also sought a safeguard of jobs and land rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir adding that domicile certificate should be issued in this regard.
Though they refused to make any direct reference on abrogation of Article 370 saying that the matter is under consideration of Supreme Court, however, said that whatever be the decision being made by the Apex Court should be acceptable to all.
“If SC restored Article 370, it is good but if not, the situation will remain the same and life will move on,” said Ghulam Hassan Mir.
Meanwhile, the duo denied the speculations of any formation of third front. They said, “We met Lieutenant Governor in individual capacity. Our only motive behind meeting Lieutenant Governor was to put forth the problems of the people in front of him.”
“What is the harm in highlighting the problems of common people? There was no personal agenda. Neither do we crave any position,” they added.
When asked about his expulsion from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) after meeting the Lieutenant Governor, Dilawar Mir said, “I’m very much in the PDP but addressing this press conference on individual level. Nobody can expel me from the party except PDP president Mehbooba Mufti, who is under house arrest. Similarly, PDP vice president Abdul Rehman Veeri is also under detention. Who else can take any decision regarding my expulsion?”
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