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Central agencies consulted on release of militants: Azad

He felt that it was the duty of the central intelligence agencies to get the concurrence of the Union home ministry.

Charging the Bharatiya Janata Party with making an 'unnecessary hue and cry', he said the release of detainees was 'not anything new' as the National Conference government had also freed many such persons.

He cited the example of the three militants released in 1999 to end the hijacking of an Indian Airlines aircraft at Kandahar.

"BJP leaders are making unnecessary hue and cry on issues like release of detainees and other relief measures being taken by the state to provide a healing touch to the militancy-ravished situation in the valley," Azad said.

He said that of the 24 detainees released by the coalition government, the courts had bailed out 16.

He also denied that the state government was being soft on militants and said it was 'secular, nationalist and concerned about national security'.

"It is unfortunate that the central government have started finding faults with the new government from day one," he said adding that the National Democratic Alliance government looks at the new government 'with suspicion'.

Talking about the appointments of victims of militancy in government jobs, the Congress leader said it was the agenda of the previous government and was merely being continued by the new one.

Azad said the state Cabinet will be expanded soon and the coalition partners will discuss the Common Minimum Programme and its implementation thereafter.

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