GILGIT, June 1: The government has directed the local administrations in districts Gangche, Skardu and Ghizer of the Northern Areas that the cases of detainees recently booked on account of terrorism should be shifted to ordinary courts for trial after the withdrawal of the anti-terrorism act (ATA) clause imposed on them.

The Northern Areas home ministry sources said the detainees had been booked on account of terrorism following the clashes on Jan 8, 2005, in the region.

Public representatives in Gilgit called upon the local authorities that this amnesty should be extended also to the districts of Gilgit and Diamer and the anti-terrorism act should be withdrawn.

Gilgit Municipal Committee member Ilyas Siddique said detainees included some minors, though they had nothing to do with terrorism.