Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Apr 7 : Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (JKNC) senior leader and Member of Parliament from Baramulla, Muhammad Akbar Lone sought immediate release of all incarcerated leaders, activists and students languishing in jails inside and outside J&K.
While expressing concern over the plight of detainees, he said that the rationale behind their detentions are mere conjectures and that having them inside jail is illegal and unconstitutional.
“The plight of detainees at present is unimaginable. At a time when the Sate Governments across the country are finding means and ways to de-congest the jails of inmates, the Central Government has chosen to shut it eyes to the woes of detainees from Kashmir. The major chunk of these detainees have been relinquished to their fate both inside and outside State. It is not hidden from anyone how bleak the situation is in jails across the country as far as basic facilities are concerned. The kith and kin of those who are languishing in jails are also going through mental trauma and anxiety, he added.
He said it is not impossible for them to travel at this juncture to meet their loved ones because of the countrywide lockdown and COVID-19 protocol. Most of the detainees are suffering from various pre-existing ailments that make their being more susceptible to the viral outbreak. Some of them are vulnerable to virus contamination due to their age and some due to their preexisting medical conditions,” he added.
Lone said it was depressing to see people who had lifelong conviction for democracy are being ill-treated. “Party general secretary Haji Ali Muhammad Sagar and Hilal Lone continue to remain detained under PSA. Others have been kept illegally in their homes and some at detention centers. Their only fault is that they have all along been watering the values of democracy in J&K. By having them incarcerated is undoubtedly an affront against those numerous people who have been voting for them, and whom they have all along been representing in Assembly, Lone added.
He said having them in jails, denying them access to colleagues, family, relatives is disturbing and least insightful of country’s democratic ideals and Constitutionalism. “I therefore request the Government of India to release all the detainees languishing in jails, detention centers, house detentions without any delay,” he said, adding, “My party colleagues including Nasir Aslam Wani, Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi, AR Rathar, Chowdhary Ramzaan, M Shafi Uri, Shameema Firdous, Aga Syed Mehmood, Dr Bashir Veeri, A M Dar, Ab Majeed Bhat Larmi, Irfan Shah should also be released from their illegal house detentions. Their detention is bereft of any reason”.
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