That the New Delhi-Hurriyat journey flagged off amid fanfare yesterday is going to be a bumpy one was evident today. Following up on Round 1 of talks between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Hurriyat leaders, the Centre asked the J&K state government to review cases of those detained under the Public Safety Act (PSA), the now-defunct POTA.But Union Home Secretary V K Duggal’s letter to the state Chief Secretary to this effect came the day the J&K state government booked Dukhtaran-i-Millat (Daughters of the Islamic Nation) chief Asiya Andrabi, eight of her party members and their driver under the PSA.All nine women were arrested for alleged ‘‘hooliganism and harassment of women’’ in restaurants, beauty parlours, houseboats and cybercafes under what they have called a ‘‘moral clean-up’’ campaign. And for allegedly motivating youths to join militant ranks, their links with militant groups and advocating ‘‘pro-Pak ideology.’’This prompted protests from Hurriyat chief Mirwaiz Umar Farooq who seized on the timing to question the Mufti Mohammed Sayeed government’s motives.‘‘Look at the timing,’’ Mirwaiz told The Indian Express. ‘‘It was just hours after the Prime Minister said that PSA detainees will be reviewed. Why did they (the government) choose this moment? There was no need for it.’’Justifying their detention, Budgam District Magistrate accused the women of launching a ‘‘vicious campaign against the moderate faction of the Kashmir policy.’’ Mirwaiz’s team member Bilal Lone saw it as a plan by the state government to undercut the Hurriyat moderates. ‘‘They say she (Asiya Andrabi) was creating hurdles in the peace process. It is a lie and a conspiracy. We (Hurriyat doves) have views that are different from hers but what she was doing had nothing to do with our dialogue process. She has always been against us.’’But the state government is urging caution. ‘‘Political killings are still going on,’’ said Mufti Mohammed Sayeed. ‘‘We cannot stop applying PSA, let the Centre talk to Pakistan. Let the situation change, I think it will take one or two months. We have always been supportive of this (dialogue) process.’’However, Congress leader Saif-ud-din Soz said the state government had taken a wrong step against the ‘‘spirit of the understanding reached between the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and the Hurriyat.’’ He admitted that there could be genuine cases where someone had to be booked under PSA. ‘‘But nine persons have been booked in one go. If Hurriyat is annoyed, they will not find themselves alone.’’Pradesh Congress Committee president Peerzada Mohammad Sayeed was more cautious. ‘‘If there are strong allegations against anybody, the law has to take its own course.’’Deputy Chief Minister Mangat Ram Sharma Sharma said the PM had also called for a decline in ‘‘terrorism’’ in the State. ‘‘Militant activities on the ground have not come down and if that happens, the government will respond positively,’’ he said.‘‘I appreciate the Hurriyat’s decision to talk to the Centre and once they come back, they should use their influence to bring down the level of violence. We are committed to the Centre’s promise but you cannot clap with one hand.’’Incidentally, the Mufti Mohammad Sayeed government had admitted that 560 persons were held under PSA in a report tabled in the Assembly two years ago. Since then, there no official figures have been released.Meanwhile, Home Ministry officials said in Delhi that it has been indicated to J&K officials that the Centre is keen to grant relief to political prisoners and those not suspected to be involved in terrorism.The Home Ministry will recommend cases to the screening committee to take a final decision on release. This committee will include a Jt Secretary-level officer from MHA, J&K Police officials .
