Srinagar, March 13 (KNO): Tehreek-e-Hurriyat Chairman, Mohammad Ashraf Sehrai Wednesday condemned the arrest of TeH District president Budgam Tashooq Banday, Mustafa Dar, Manzoor Ahmed and other Tehreek-e-Hurriyat activists and said, that “deliberate tactics are being employed to prolong the detention period of Kashmiri prisoners and the denial of medical facilities which is nothing but sheer vendetta.”
In a statement issued to KNO, Sehrai concerned about the deteriorating health condition of Ghulam Mohi-u-Din Mir who is a heart patient and supported by pace maker and another Mohammad Abbas Wani who is languishing in central jail since a decade who is also unwell and despite that facing extreme suppression in-terms of absence of all the basic facilities guaranteed by the jail manuals.
He said that similar treatment is given to the political prisoners from Kashmir who are lodged in various jails out of Jammu and Kashmir which is a serious concern and a cause of worry. Furthermore, Sehrai also expressed his concern over the deteriorating health condition of Muslim League General Secretary Abdul Ahad Parra who is languishing in jail since last one month.
The arbitrary and indiscriminate use of the Public Safety Act, to stifle political dissent in the Kashmir Valley shows a blatant disregard for the right to personal liberty enshrined therein.
Sehrai demanded the release of all political social and religious leaders and activists. Sehrai said, “By banning Jammat-e-Islami and arresting Pro-Freedom leaders and activists the government has cracked whip on dissenters. Every dissent space is being increasingly choked.”
He said the authorities have left no space for us to raise genuine issues. “The height is that whosoever raises the voice against repression and calls for early Kashmir resolution is being booked under draconian laws,” he said, adding that “New Delhi has been unwilling to solve this tragic conflict, and has scuttled any attempt at meaningful discourse on the issue, both internationally and within the country.”
He appealed the international human rights bodies to use their influence on New Delhi to stop human rights violations against Kashmiris. It stated that curbing the freedom of expression of people and preventing them from raising their voice for their rights reflects the “undemocratic means and policies of government of India as well as the authorities of J&K.(KNO)