Covid-19: For the sake of humanity, release our dear ones: Families of Kashmiri prisoners in Tihar appeal to Home Min Amit Shah, LG Murmu | KNO

Kashmir News Observer (KNO)

Srinagar, Mar 24 (KNO): The family members of separatist leaders have made a fervent appeal to Union Minister for Home Affairs Amit Shah and J&K UT’s Lieutenant Governor Girish Chandera Murmu to release their relatives lodged in Tihar jail for the most over two-and-a half years on the “humanitarian basis” in the wake of emergency triggered by the deadly Covid-19.

Family members of dozens of separatist leaders told wire service—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), that at a time when world is fighting novel Coronavirus which has claimed thousands of lives and has made its entry into the J&K as well, they are really worried about their dear ones lodged in New Delhi’s Tihar prison since past over two and a half years. “I am worried for my husband, who is already suffering from diabetes. He has turned pale and weak over the years in Tihar. Back home, I along with my two daughters are facing tough life as one hand I can’t meet my husband and on the other hand, I have to take care of my two daughters as well.

My appeal to Home Minister Amit Shah and also to the LG Murmu is to please release prisoners in Tihar including my husband keeping in view the health emergency in J&K and rest of the world,” said Nuzhat, wife of Hurriyat Conference (M) leader Advocate Shahidul Islam, who is languishing in Tihar prison of New Delhi. Like her, there are scores of family members who have joined the chorus of seeking the release of their relatives on the basis of humanity in the wake of spread of Covid-19. “We appeal to the Home Minister of India Amit Shah and also to the LG J&K to take a call for the sake of humanity and to release my father and others lodged with him in Tihar prison.

Now that travel is banned, we are really in a state of highest level of frustration worried about him and also fighting a separate battle for survival back home,” said Salman Ayaz, son of Hurriyat (G) leader Ayaz Akbar, who is also languishing in Tihar. National Investigating Agency and Enforcement Directorate had arrested dozens of Hurriyat leaders on the charge of their involvement in “terror funding case” that include Shabir Ahmad Shah, Advocate Shahidul Islam, Altaf Ahmed Fantosh, Ayaz Akbar, Peer Saifullah, Mehrajudin Kalwal, Farooq Ahmed Dar, Nayeeem Ahmad Khan, businessman Zahoor Watali and others.

The family members of separatist leader Shabir Shah also sought release of Shah on the “pretext of medical crisis” triggered by the Covid-19. “We are not able to get in touch with him (Shah). Since jails are congested, prisoners are at the highest level of risk of transmitting Covid-19,” one of the family members of Shah told KNO, over phone. “We demand immediate release and urge the Home Minister of India and LG of J&K to take a call and announce the release of prisoners lodged in Tihar for the sake of humanity in times of medical emergency.” The family members of many other separatist leaders, who did not wish to be named, also demanded immediate release of their dear ones and close relatives from Tihar saying, “sooner the better.”

“Our relatives are languishing in Tihar despite the fact that there is no concrete evidence against their involvement in any crime or big offence. Their only crime is their political ideology. India being a world’s biggest democracy, should realise the need of releasing prisoners and understand the pain and agony, through which the families of these prisoners, back home in Kashmir are going through,” a group of family members told KNO. “We hope better sense would prevail and humanity wins.”—(KNO)