Release political detainees on R-Day: Ex-J&K minister Mir

Senior Jammu and Kashmir leader Ghulam Hassan Mir who was a part of the group led by Altaf Bukhari that met Lt. Governor G.C. Murmu earlier this month for presenting a set of measures to restore political activity in J&K, said much progress has been made since the meeting took place.

Speaking at a press conference in Jammu on Thursday, the former Minister said many political detainees and youth jailed outside Kashmir have been released.

"These are all positive developments since our meeting with the L-G," Mir said.

He demanded the release of prisoners including three former chief ministers on Republic Day.

"This will be a goodwill gesture," Mir said.

He said all those youth who have been detained in jails in other states must be shifted to Jammu and Kashmir.

On the issue of restoration of the Internet, he said although 2G Internet has been restored at some places but this is not enough. "Internet must be fully restored," Mir said.

He said that the demand for restoration of the Internet is equally strong in Jammu as well as Kashmir.

He said the media is worst-affected by the Internet gag. "Government should restore broadband Internet for the media persons."

He demanded domicile rights for the people of Jammu and Kashmir, and allaying their fears about job losses post abrogation of Article 370.

Mir said the government should compensate for the losses suffered by the agriculture and horticulture sectors.

He was flanked by former PDP minister Dilawar Mir who was among the eight leaders expelled by the PDP after meeting the Lt. Governor and the delegation of foreign ambassadors.

Dilawar Mir said that he continues to be a member of the PDP and only party president Mehbooba Mufti who is under detention has the power to expel him.

(Zaffar Iqbal can be contacted at zaffar25@gmail.com)

( With inputs from IANS )