Hurriyat leaders may be freed soon

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI, APRIL 2. Several important leaders of the All Party Hurriyat Conference, now in Jodhpur jail, are likely to be released shortly as part of the Centre's efforts to create favourable conditions for restoring normality in Kashmir.

Sources in the Union Home Ministry today described it as a ``goodwill gesture'' which, they hoped, would help hasten the process of bringing back peace.

The release is expected in phases and those likely to be free as early as this week include the APHC chairman, Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Mr. Yasin Malik and Prof. Abdul Ghani Bhat. Others who might walk free are Moulana Abbas Ansari, Mr. Javed Ahmed Mir and Mr. Mohammad Ashraf Sehrai. They were arrested last year after their campaign for a poll boycott turned violent.Meanwhile, Mr. Saifuddin Soz, former MP and Union Minister, welcomed the decision saying it was a ``positive response to the climate generated by Mr. Clinton's visit.'' He said he expected the Government to declare its willingness to ``hold an unconditional dialogue with the Hurriyat Conference.'' But talks with the Hurriyat should not preclude talking to other political groups.

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