The India-controlled Jammu and Kashmir government Sunday freed 55 alleged militants from its jails on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr, marking the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, according to Indo-Asian News Service(IANS).

The Mufti Mohammed Sayeed government had announced its intention to release the militants about a week ago as part of its move to gain people's confidence to strengthen the peace moves.

Sayeed said the release of these "misguided youth" would not only result in their reunion with families but also rid the government of the stigma of keeping the youth in jails for prolonged periods without trial.

"We are looking at peace and this should be seen through that prism," the chief minister said.

Indian official sources said the militants were released after the legal formalities were fulfilled.

"Their behavior would be under constant watch," the sources said.

The local government frees selected jail inmates on independence and republic days also. It has released more than 200 youths in this fashion in the past two years.

Source: Xinhua