Mehbooba slams Indian authorities over plight of thousands of Kashmiri prisoners, demands transfer to IIOJK
Srinagar: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) President Mehbooba Mufti has once again raised serious concerns over the plight of thousands of Kashmiris who have been detained since 2019 and continue to languish in jails outside Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).
According to Kashmir Media Service, speaking to reporters in Srinagar, today, Mehbooba said that over 3,500 Kashmiris have been arrested since 2019, many of whom remain incarcerated in distant jails across India. She urged the authorities to bring them back to IIOJK to ease the immense suffering of their families. “While we are not demanding their immediate release, it is critical that they be brought back to Jammu and Kashmir so their families can at least meet them and pursue their legal cases within the territory,” she said.
Mehbooba emphasized the dire conditions faced by the families of these detainees, many of whom are struggling to even locate their loved ones. She stated that families of many of these detainees have exhausted their resources fighting legal battles. “Some sold their homes, some sold land and jewellery to pay for legal expenses. Many cannot even afford to visit the jails where their relatives are held,” she said, adding that several detainees have been under trial for six to seven years without being convicted.
Mehbooba Mufti revealed that she had personally written to the Indian authorities, including Home Minister Amit Shah, seeking details about the Kashmiri detainees but received no response.
Earlier this week, Mehbooba Mufti appeared before the IIOJK High Court, urging it to take a humanitarian approach and order the transfer of all Kashmiri detainees currently held in jails outside the territory.
Mehbooba said while the people get to know about the health conditions of the prominent Kashmiri prisoners like Democratic Freedom Party chief Shabir Ahmed Shah, head of Jamaat-e-Islami, and JKLF chairman Yasin Malik, “we do not get to know about the others, the poor”. “These families are in a desperate situation. They cannot afford to go to distant courts. They need their loved ones brought back home, so they can meet them and have access to legal consultations here in Kashmir,” Mehbooba said.
Mehbooba also criticized IIOJK Chief Minister Abdullah’s reported remarks that he cannot talk about the issue of Kashmiri prisoners as the issue was sub-judice now. She asked, “Wasn’t Article 370 sub-judice? Isn’t statehood sub-judice? Yet discussions are held on those issues. Why can’t we speak about our people in jails?” KMS-17S
