Jammu and Kashmir to release 30 prisoners

SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir government has decided to release at least 30 prisoners marginally involved in militant activities on the eve of Id-ul-Fitr as a 'goodwill gesture'.

A meeting of senior police officers was held here on Monday night and it was decided that around 30 militants who have either completed their terms or those who were held on charges like carrying weapons and were not involved in crimes like murder, massacres or rapes be freed.
 
"A list has been prepared and the families of the militants have been intimated about the release on the eve of Id-ul-Fitr," an official said.

He said the move was both a 'goodwill gesture and also part of the exercise undertaken after the government decided not to keep prisoners with low involvement in jails'.

According to government records, there are nearly 550 militants lodged in various jails across the state.