Freed Kashmir separatist defiant

Mr Malik was held under anti-terrorism laws

A leading separatist freed from jail in Indian-administered Kashmir has rejected an olive branch from the state's new government.

In his first public comments since being released on Monday, Yasin Malik accused newly-elected Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed of "double-speak".

Mufti Sayeed wants to resolve the conflict

He condemned the chief minister's offer of an amnesty for militants, and criticised India's reluctance to hold talks with Pakistan, which also lays claim to Kashmir.

Mufti Sayeed came to power promising to try to break the deadlock in Kashmir, and the release of Mr Malik, a key figure in the main separatist alliance, is being seen as a goodwill gesture.

'Freedom fighters'

The former militant-turned-politician is reported to be among a number of political prisoners being released as part of the new government's efforts to bring peace to the region.

But Mr Malik told a news conference in Srinagar that holding men who were "freedom fighters" was unacceptable.

He said Mr Sayeed might claim to represent separatist militants, but he had not challenged Delhi's assertion that a vote in the elections was a vote for India.

He offered to stand against the chief minister in any seat in the Kashmir valley, as long as the vote was overseen by an independent body and not India's electoral authorities.

Popular figure

Mr Malik, 36, is the leader of the Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front.

He was jailed in March under controversial anti-terrorism laws on charges of handling illegal funds to finance militancy, which he denied.

Correspondents say he is particularly popular among young Kashmiris.

His JKLF, which declared a unilateral ceasefire in 1994, is one of the state's oldest separatist organisations.

It wants independence for Kashmir from both India and Pakistan, who have fought two of their three wars over the territory since independence.