Release detainees before R-day: Former J&K minister

Though 2G services have been restored in few districts in Jammu and the Valley, we feel that it is not adequate.

GHULAM HASSAN MIR, former J&K minister

JAMMU: Former minister and veteran politician of Kashmir, Ghulam Hassan Mir, has demanded release of all mainstream political leaders before Republic Day.

“We urge the central government to release political leaders, including former Jammu and Kashmir chief ministers, and students of the Valley languishing in jails across the country before Republic Day as a good will gesture,” said Mir in presser on Thursday, where he was flanked by senior People’s Democratic Party(pdp) leader Mohammad Dilawar Mir.

“If those students cannot be released due to security reasons, we urge the government to shift the students lodged in different jails of the country to J&K jails,” he added.

Mir said restoration of 2G services has not translated on the ground.“though 2G services have been restored in few Jammu districts and couple of district in the Kashmir valley, however, we feel that it is not adequate. We want internet to be fully resorted and also the curbs should be lifted on broadband services for media, traders, tourism and travel sector,” he demanded.

Both GH Mir and Dilawar were part of the group of former legislators, politicians who met Lt Governor GC Murmu a fortnight back. Mir also raised domicile , reservation in jobs and restoration of statehood issues and submitted a memorandum to Murmu in this regard.

Mir, however, stated that holding of early assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir at the present juncture would be ‘premature’.

“As per Reorganisation Act, the assembly seats in Jammu and Kashmir has to be increased and for that ‘delimitation commission’ has to be constituted. Then the commission has to submit its report and it has to be accepted by the government. Until then, there is no merit in talking about holding elections here”.

Dilawar Mir rubbished his expulsion from the Peoples Demcratic Party (PDP). PDP had expelled Dilawar Mir and seven other leaders of the party for meeting a foreign delegation .

“Only party president Mehbooba Mufti and vice president AR Veeri can expel anyone from the party. Since both are under preventive detention, I don’t think any other person can expel me,” he said.