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'We released J&K prisoners after
Union home ministry's nod'

A Jammu and Kashmir minister has expressed surprise over Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's advice to exercise caution while releasing prisoners.

"We have not released even a single prisoner without clearance from the Union home ministry," the senior minister in Mufti Mohammad Sayeed's cabinet said.

"We had got the ministry's approval for a list of 26 prisoners to be released. It is strange that the Centre now advices caution while releasing prisoners," he said.

He clarified that suspected terrorist Bitta Karate is not in the list of prisoners to be released. Bitta Karate is accused of killing some Kashmiri Pandits, who are firmly against his release.

As far as militants released by various courts is concerned, he said Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed was also taken aback by the development.

The minister said the issue of Syed Ali Shah Geelani's release is yet to be discussed by the cabinet.

He clarified that the new government has not given jobs to family members of militants killed by the security forces.

"We have given jobs to the family members of those killed in the cross fire between the security forces and militants. Two hundred and thirty-four such persons have so far been given jobs after the army and police verified their antecedents," he said.

Mufti's government is likely to introduce the Accountability Commission Bill in the first assembly session.

"We intend to bring all government officials, including the chief minister, under its purview," Minister of Law and Justice Muzzafar Hussain Beig said.

On resettling Kashmiri Pandits in the valley, the new government wants to get a firm footing before making any such move.

"We want them to come back with honour and dignity and live like any other Muslim or Sikh Kashmiri. We will watch the situation till May next year before taking any decision in this regard," he said.

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