Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, May 23: PDP president and former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti today alleged that many detainees from J&K lodged in jails since 2019 had been “denied” the opportunity to meet their parents even during their final moments.
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She termed it a “humanitarian issue” that has caused immense “suffering” to families across the Union Territory.
Mufti made the remarks while visiting the residence of jailed MP Engineer Rashid to offer condolences on the demise of his father.
She was accompanied by PDP legislators Mir Mohammad Fayaz, Waheed Ur Rehman Parra and Aga Syed Muntazir Mehdi.
Speaking to reporters, Mufti said Engineer Rashid, being a sitting Member of Parliament, was granted relief by the court to meet his ailing father and attend the funeral rites.
“But there are many others who have been jailed since 2019 whose parents passed away without seeing their sons even once,” she said.
She said the death of Engineer Rashid’s father while the MP remained in jail reflected the pain faced by several families in J&K.
“The way his father died while Er Rashid was in jail, while his father was hospitalised, is heartbreaking. This is the story of every home in J&K. Hundreds are lodged in jails outside and they do not know anything about their families,” Mufti said.
She alleged that several detainees were not allowed to attend the last rites of close relatives despite family tragedies.
Mufti further alleged that many people continue to remain imprisoned without trial, resulting in “prolonged separation” from their families.
Parra, who also spoke to reporters, described the issue of prisoners as one of the “biggest humanitarian concerns” in J&K and called for the release of detainees, including Engineer Rashid.
“Engineer Rashid should be released and other youngsters lodged in jails should also be freed. Many families have been destroyed like this,” Parra said.
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