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Onkar Singh in New Delhi
Congress general secretary Ambika Soni on Friday made it clear that her party would not allow the release of hardcore militants from jails in Jammu and Kashmir.
"I have heard some names being mentioned on television channels. I can tell you that under the common minimum programme only those political prisoners against whom there are no substantial charges are to be released," she said.
Speaking to rediff.com on phone from Srinagar, Soni said the law would take its own course in the cases concerning hardcore terrorists.
When asked if All Party Hurriyat Conference leaders Syed Ali Shah Geelani and Yasin Malik would fall in the category of political detainees, she said: "Only those who are not charged with serious crimes and have been languishing in jails for long would be released."
A senior Jammu and Kashmir police officer, meanwhile, ruled out the release of Fayaz Ahmed Zargar, brother of Mustaq Ahmed Zargar, from detention.
Mushtaq Zargar, now based in Pakistan, was released in December 1999 along with Maulana Masood Azhar and Omar Sheikh in return for the safe release of passengers of hijacked Indian Airlines IC 814 flight.
Mushtaq Zargar just a couple of days back issued a death threat against chief minister-designate Mufti Mohammad Sayeed and his family.
Director General of Police A K Suri said the Mufti and his family have been provided ample security.
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