J&K Police reviewing cases of 15 jailed inmates

JAMMU: Jammu and Kashmir police is reviewing cases of 15 jail inmates, which includes four cases each of drug and timber smuggling, who may be freed following directions of the Mufti Sayeed Government in Jammu and Kashmir to release 'political prisoners'.

A list of 15 people has been sent to the state Home department which contains details about four people arrested for stone pelting, four people for timber smuggling, three cases of theft and another four who have been nabbed in connection with drug related cases, official sources said.

The Jammu and Kashmir police has left it to the wisdom of state Home department for taking a call about their release, the sources said.

This was being done in pursuance of orders of the state Chief Minister of March four when he had directed the police to release 'political prisoners' and small time criminals from jail.

In pursuance of this order, state Home department had released hardline separatist leader Masarat Alam on Saturday triggering a political storm and bringing strains in the PDP-BJP alliance.

Some of the PDP leaders were in favour of release of Mohd Qasim alias Ashiq Hussain Faktoo, husband of pro-Islamic-state women leader Asiya Andrabi. He was a militant commander before his arrest in 1993 over the "murder" charge of human rights activist HN Wanchoo. He was acquitted by a TADA court in Jammu in July 2001.

The state government booked him under Public Safety Act (PSA) and challenged his acquittal before the Supreme Court where he was sentenced for life.

The police has made it clear to the Home department that he cannot be released as he was a convict.