CPI(M) welcomes govt decision to grant amnesty to stone pelters

Srinagar: The Communist Party of India (M) today welcomed the Jammu and Kashmir government’s decision to grant general amnesty to about 1200 youths who were arrested and later released on bail in the Valley during the summer unrest last year.
However, the CPI (M) also demanded release of all political detenues.
State Secretary of the CPI (M) Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami welcomed the state government’s decision to grant general amnesty to youths, charged of stone pelting during last year’s unrest in the state.
The CPI (M) which had been consistently demanding the release of the youth urged the government to implement the decision at the earliest and release the political prisoners lodged in different jails under the Public Safety Act (PSA).
He said the amnesty granted to the youth and release of political prisoners would further ease the situation and help in building an atmosphere of peace and reconciliation.
Mr Tarigami asked the government to actively consider the release of those PSA detainees who are not involved in serious crimes.
He also reiterated the party’s demand to review the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) and Disturbed Areas Act (DAA) and said the state government should reinforce its efforts to convince the Centre regarding the revision and revocation of these laws, keeping in view the improvement in the security situation in the state.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah yesterday announced that about 1200 youths will be benefited by this decision of the government.
However, he made it clear that those involved in arson and other heinous crime would not be covered under this amnesty.