Lives of political prisoners in risk after ‘ghastly act’ of thrashing in Tihar: JRL

Urges Int’l HR Bodies To Take Note of It, Facilitate Treatment Of 18 Kashmiri Inmates

Srinagar: Joint Resistance Leadership on Tuesday expressed serious concern over the thrashing of Kashmiri prisoners in Tihar jail, underlining that the “ghastly act” has put the lives of all Kashmiri political prisoners in risk.

The JRL comprising Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Muhammad Yasin Malik said the jail authorities are badly treating all these prisoners in complete violation of jail manual.

They appealed international organizations including United Nations Human Rights Commission Asia watch and Amnesty International to take notice of the inhuman and hostile treatment meted out to detainees lodged in Tihar jail. The leadership sought help from international agencies and asked to provide suitable treatment to those injured in recent thrashing incident and ensure their security and safety.

While referring to Supreme court ruling, they demanded shifting of prisoners, saying detainees are subjected to vengeance, and despite sufficient accommodation in local jails, they are shifted to outside jails and as such their families face immense difficulties to seek meeting with their wards.

“They even ignore the ruling of Supreme Court regarding prisoners wherein it has clearly directed state authorities to lodge detainees adjacent to their home cities” they said.

Criticizing authorities for their “callous approach”, they said: “It is extreme state sponsored oppression and their tall claims and rhetoric about humanity and democracy are mere hoax.”

Thrashing incident in Tihar jail is extremely inhuman and immoral act, they said and blamed authorities for their bigoted mindset, “These cowardice attacks are being carried on their directions,” said JRL in a joint statement.

They strongly condemned the thrashing of Syed Shahid Yusuf, son of Syed Salahudin, in high security ward of Tihar jail, saying that on behest of jail authorities, criminals are attacking and taking extreme steps against Kashmiri detainees.

They said those claiming to be the champions of democracy are violating the basic norms of humanity while treating these detainees in total violations of norms set by international community.

“These criminals have admitted that they are carrying out the orders of jail administration and attacking and injuring Kashmiri prisoners.”

They said that the attack on Syed Shahid Yusuf and other prisoners was carried by the jail administration, saying that the 18 accused were injured by Tamil Nadu Police, deputed in Tihar jail and added that Dr Gh Mohd Bhat, Ahtisham, Shazad Ahmad, Mohd Subhan, Ayaz Akbar, Raja Meraj u Din Kalwal, Altaf Ahmad Shah, Mohd Aslam Wani and Dr Waseem are lodged in same ward.

Resistance leaders while terming the incident as extremely brutal and callous, also asked International human rights organizations to facilitate suitable treatment to those injured and ensure their security and safety.

They said these detainees are not criminals involved in any offence but they represent political aspiration of their nation. “Subjecting detainees to physical torture, reflects the sectarian mindset of authorities. It is a slur for Indian authorities and it won’t break our resolve and will pursue freedom mission till its logical end.”