Kashmir: Ruling NC, Oppn PDP welcome bail to Liyaqat

The ruling National Conference as well as the opposition Peoples Democratic Party in Jammu and Kashmir have welcomed the Delhi high court’s decision granting bail to Liyaqat Shah who was arrested by police on charges of planning a terror strike in the national capital.

In a statement, the National Conference welcomed the decision, saying, “Omar Abdullah stands vindicated after the court confirmed that there is no substantial linkage regarding his involvement in any terror activities”.

“Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has all along been saying that Liyaqat had no intention to carry out any attack as he was returning along with his family members and not carrying any weapons with him,” said NC provincial president Nasir Aslam Wani.

“Today’s development will repose faith of all the people who intend to take advantage of the government’s surrender and rehabilitation policy,” he said.

Wani thanked the chief minister for his relentless effort in ensuring that Liyaqat and anyone else who shuns the path of violence is not unnecessarily harassed or subjected to such treatment.

“Ultimately justice prevailed and the credit goes to the chief minister on whose instance the case was handed over to the National Investigation Agency,” said Nasir, adding, “Today’s development proves that he was not involved.”

Meanwhile, the PDP said, “It is now obvious that the charges slapped against him by Delhi police were not true as pointed out at the time of his arrest”.

A spokesman of the party said while the final verdict of the court is pending, the relief granted to Liyaqat has raised hopes of a fair trial for him.

The spokesman said, “The rehabilitation policy for the people who crossed the Line of Control needs to be revisited in view of the loopholes that came into notice after the Liyaqat fiasco”.

He said, “The policy needs to be streamlined to ensure hassle-free return of our youth and their purposeful rehabilitation’.

"At present, the returning militants who had gone as young people and are now middle aged persons with families are facing immense problems in the absence of a proper rehabilitation that should include their sustenance, schooling of their children, benefits of citizenship like ration cards, passports and the nationality issues of their spouses," he added.