Mufti ‘won’t succumb to pressure’ post Masarat Release Row

According to PDP sources, the Chief Minister’s “understanding” on the release of political prisoners, including Alam, is clear to the extent that he “won’t allow law of the land to be abused by anyone, including the Centre.” This “understanding”, according to sources, also advocates release of more political prisoners with “not-so-huge criminal cases” against them and bringing back detainees from Kashmir who are languishing in jails outside the state.
“That such supposedly critical and sensitive matters might affect the PDP’s alliance with BJP is not a cause of concern for the Chief Minister at this juncture. His view is that he is not going to succumb to any pressure tactics and get his plans at reconciliation and dialogue with separatists foiled,” the sources disclosed.
The Chief Minister, the sources said, is also of the opinion that any decision that “falls within the purview of the state will be taken by the state without any consultation with the Centre” while “those where Centre requires to be consulted, will be taken accordingly.”
“While the State has followed due process vis-à-vis release of Masarat Alam, the so-called outrage over release of political prisoners is not going to deter us from pursuing our agenda of peace and reconciliation. The Omar Abdullah-led government has already surrendered a lot of state’s authority to the Centre. While the PDP is trying to restore that authority that must rest with the state, it will continue to take the decisions that are within its domain,” they said.
Pertinently, Alam’s release—barely few days after the PDP-BJP alliance formed the new government in J&K—has triggered a political storm in India, with Prime Minister expressing his “anger” over the move and opposition parties targeting BJP for “going soft on PDP.”
According to PDP sources, despite the PM’s statement and outrage in the Parliament over Alam’s release, Mufti is “adamant” to free more political prisoners and get back those languishing outside J&K jails “even if it comes at a cost.”
The PDP-led government, they said, has already issued directions to police to initiate the process of release of political prisoners to “send a positive message across the political spectrum of the state.”
“Dissent in democracy makes the system vibrant and dynamic and we should always try to evolve such a system. Democracy is a battle of ideas and it should not be held hostage to the agreements or disagreements on issues,” Mufti told the state police chief a day before Alam’s release from a jail after four years.
“Everybody has a right to opinion and disagree with our decisions. But that doesn’t mean we stop taking decisions,” a senior PDP leader said.