Srinagar, Dec 23: Hurriyat Conference (G) chairman Syed Ali Geelani on Saturday expressed serious concern over the deteriorating health condition of Kashmiri detainees in Tihar Jail.
In a statement, Geelani demanded immediate shifting of all Kashmiri prisoners lodged in outside state jails to valley.
Geelani said Zahoor Ahmad Watali is seriously ill and others lodged in Tihar Jail including Altaf Ahmed Shah, Peer Saifullah, Ayaz Akbar, Raja Meraj-u-Din Kalwal, Shahid-ul-Islam, Farooq Ahmad Dar, Nayeem Ahmad Khan, Kamran Yousuf, Shahid Yosuf and others are meting ill treatment. He said in absence of proper medical care, their health condition is worsening with every passing day.
He said despite the falling health of the prisoners, no medical treatment or care is provided to them. He appealed to Amnesty International, Asia Watch, and other international organisations for human rights to take cognizance of the plight of these detainees and use influence for their release.
Hurriyat (G) chairman warned authorities of “consequences” if any untoward happens to Kashmiri prisoners in Tihar Jail who he said are kept among notorious criminals who are threatening them. “They (Kashmiri prisoners) have not committed any offence but are political prisoners and suffering because of political vendetta,” he said.
“The move is an attempt to pressurize and intimidate the resistance leadership,” said Geelani. “NIA failed to prove any substantial proof against those arrested in Kashmir”.
Geelani condemned the continuous detention of separatist leaders including Masarat Allam Bhat, Syeda Asiya Andrabi, Dr Mohammad Qassim, Dr Mohammad Shafi Shariati, Sarjan Barkati and others and said they were arrested in “fake” and “fabricated charges”.