J&K: Muslim League leader Masarat Alam freed from prison after 4 years

Jammu: Masarat Alam, leader of the hardline-faction of Hurriyat, who had spearheaded the stone-pelting agitations in the valley in 2008 and 2010, was on Saturday released from prison following the new government’s policy of freeing political prisoners who do not face criminal charges. The orders for the release of 42-year-old Alam, chief of the Jammu Kashmir Muslim League, has been issued by the Home Department and he is technically free, a top police official in Baramulla had said. DGP K Rajendra confirmed that Alam was released. [caption id=“attachment_2141679” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  File photo of Massarat Alam. IBNLive[/caption] Earlier in the day, Rajendra said that police will comply with the directions of Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, who has sought release of all political prisoners who do not face any criminal charge. “Yes, all the directions issued by the government (on release of political prisoners from jails in the state) will be complied with. Let us be assured about it,” Director General of Police (DGP), J&K, K Rajendra Kumar told reporters on Saturday. He was asked whether the process of release of political prisoners has begun at the level of the police. “Any direction coming from the the government would be looked into and would be worked out,” the DGP said. In a meeting with the police chief on Wednesday, Sayeed had asked the police to initiate a process of releasing all political prisoners in the State against whom no criminal charges have been registered. He had also directed the DGP to prepare a comprehensive plan for the rehabilitation of surrendered and released militants. Asked whether police has formulated any plan for release of separatists, including those who took part in stone pelting in 2008 and 2010, like separatists Masarat Alam and Qasim Faktoo, he said, “We will get back to you. We will come back with our views when we are ready with the blue print.” “At the moment, we will not be able to say much on that. Let us work on that then we will get back to you,” he said. “Alam will be shifted to Central Jail Srinagar where from he will be released,” District Magistrate Baramulla Talat Parvez had told PTI. Alam, whose Muslim League is a constituent of the hardline Hurriyat Conference headed by Syed Ali Shah Geelani, was arrested in October 2010 for his alleged role in fuelling the anti-national protests during that year’s summer agitation that left more than 120 persons dead and thousands others injured. PTI