Masrath Alam, leader of the hardline-faction of Hurriyat, who had allegedly spearheaded the stone-pelting agitations in the Kashmir valley in 2008 and 2010, will be 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 Mr Alam, chief of the Jammu Kashmir Muslim League, has been issued by the Home Department and he is technically free, said a top police official in Baramulla, where he is lodged in the prison.
Formalities remain to be completed and he would be released once they are over, he said. A number of lives were lost during the stone-pelting agitation in the valley.
Earlier in the day, Mr 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.
He was asked whether the process of release of political prisoners has begun at the level of the police.
In a meeting with the police chief in Jammu on Wednesday, Mr 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.
Asked whether police has formulated any plan for release of separatists, including those who took part in stone pelting in 2008 and 2010, he said, "We will get back to you. We will come back with our views when we are ready with the blue print."
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