Mehbooba protests, seeks return of Kashmiri prisoners; Omar says, meet Amit Shah instead

SRINAGAR: Former J&K CM and People’s Democratic Party president Mehbooba Mufti Monday held a demonstration in Srinagar demanding the release and transfer of political prisoners back to Kashmir. In Delhi, the Awami Ittehad Party (AIP) also protested demanding the release of jailed MP Engineer Rashid.

Mehbooba urged CM Omar Abdullah to either send an all-party delegation to various jails to assess the condition of the detainees or meet Union Home Minister Amit Shah to discuss the issue with him.

“They are all accused, as none of them are convicted. Some are in extreme pain, particularly those outside J&K, including the likes of Shabir Shah (Hurriyat leader),” Mehbooba said. “If known leaders like Shah are suffering, imagine the plight of common detainees. I remember a detainee from Pulwama who has been in jail outside J&K for 10 years without conviction. They are not even granted parole,” she added.

Mehbooba accused the govt of blocking her “peaceful protest”. “As if we were enemies," she remarked. “We had brought a resolution in the assembly that detainees outside J&K should be shifted back, but it was not allowed by the J&K govt.”

In reaction, the CM said demonstrations in Srinagar will achieve little as decisions on security matters are taken in Delhi. “Instead of wasting time here, she should meet the Home Minister in Delhi, just like we did. Protesting in Srinagar won’t serve any purpose,” Omar said. “If she is doing it just for show, let her continue,” he added.

At Jantar Mantar in Delhi, Rashid’s supporters and activists held placards calling his detention an “assault on democracy” and that it “undermines people’s mandate”.

Rashid, who heads AIP, was arrested by the National Investigation Agency six years ago under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. He was accused of receiving funds from Pakistan for separatist activities. He denied the charges. He was arrested soon after the abrogation of Article 370 on Aug 5, 2019, and has been in Tihar Jail ever since.



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