Kashmir separatists released from house arrest

Srinagar, Aug 20: The Kashmiri separatists who were placed under house arrest have been released.

Three separatists had been placed under house arrest earlier today ahead of the visit by the National Security Advisor of Paksitan.

However, hours after being placed under house arrest, they have been released and will now meet with the National Security Advisor of Pakistan, Sartaj Aziz scheduled to visit India this weekend.

The reasons behind the release of the separatists is not clear, but sources say that there was no ground to hold them.

India has however, made it clear that the meeting the views of the separatists will not be taken into consideration during the bi-lateral talks.

On Kashmir only, India and Paksitan will speak, the official also informed.

Earlier today, three separatists, Yasin Mallik, Syed Ali Shah Geelani and Mirwaiz were placed under house arrest citing security reasons.

Their houses were barricaded and an official said that they do not want them to derail the talks with Paksitan scheduled to be held this weekend.

Sources when contacted about the release, did not elaborate much but added that there was no ground to keep them under house arrest.

Moreover, preventing them from talking to Pakistan would also send a wrong signal, a section also felt.

Another reason for the abrupt release is being attributed to an intervention by Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minsiter, Mufti Mohammad Saeed who was against keeping the separatists under house arrest.

OneIndia News