Decision to set free separatist leaders may pave the way for talks

The sudden decision to set free top separatist leaders to carry on with their social and political activism has become the talk of the hour in the valley. Separatists leaders like Abbas Ansari and Javed Mir have welcomed the step. They also said it could pave the way for talks which the Hurriyat has always supported. However, they also want the government to release other separatist leaders, who are languishing in jails after NIA booked them, and other prisoners.

Chairman JKLF (R)Javeed Mir said "we have seen earlier such type of decisions but they were not implemented. We never want violence nor we support violence but when we take any peaceful rally or go anywhere in the valley we are stopped which makes people get angry and the peaceful procession turns into violence as we are showered by bullets and pellets".

On the other hand, the three top leaders, Syed Ali Shah Gillani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Yaseen Malik didn't react to the decision. But all three leaders remained active today, while Syed Ali Shah Gillani offered Friday prayers in Hayderpora Masjid and in short speech said that he read from a newspaper today morning that the government has decided to free him,"I won't jump the gun. We will work out a new strategy after thorough consultations,".

However, the newly elected Tehrik Hurriyat chairman, Mohammad Ashraf Sehrai, whose son recently joined the militant ranks said there would have no conditions in setting free leaders beside ''we have to see how much liberty will be given to us and talks are only possible when Kashmir is taken as disputed territory".

The state government has decided to let the top separatist leaders be free. These leaders have been under curbs for many years, mostly placed under house arrest. Syed Ali Shah Gillani remained arrested at his house for 8 years. However, sources say now the govt has decided to allow them to roam around.

DGP S.P Vaid said that "They are free as long as they don’t make any anti-national speech or create law and order problem."

The decision seems to have been taken at a high level. Sources say this could be a beginning of the process of dialogue. The move to allow them to go around would be seen as the eventual government acknowledgement of the need to let Hurriyat leaders interact freely with the people.

The move also comes across as an important step as the security agencies have been worried about the increasing trend of youth joining militancy, and need of a political process to begin the govt could be trying to control the situation on the ground in that regard. The government appointed representative Dineshwar Sharma, who has been visiting the valley and meeting various sections of the society, has welcomed the decision.

BJP's ally PDP has spoken time an again demanding resumption of talks, and this political decision to lift curbs on the movement of the three leaders comes at a time when the government is facing a serious political crisis in the Kashmir valley and the state has struggled to pacify the recent surge of anti-government feeling.