Jammu: Law students from the University of Jammu staged a candlelight protest late Wednesday night, demanding the release of tribal activist Talib Hussain, who was arrested following unrest that erupted during a demolition drive in the Sidhra area of Jammu.
Holding candles and raising slogans, the students questioned the basis of the allegations against Hussain and called for what they described as a fair and transparent investigation into the incident.
The protesters argued that Hussain was already in police custody when stone-pelting reportedly occurred during the demolition drive and therefore could not have participated in the violence.
“If stone-pelting took place, those responsible should be identified and arrested. We are not supporting stone-pelting. But how can Talib Hussain be accused when he was already under custody?” several students said during the protest.
The students described Hussain as a tribal rights activist and maintained that he had been participating in a peaceful protest before his arrest.
The protesters also criticized the Omar Abdullah-led government, alleging that it had failed to adequately address concerns being raised by tribal communities affected by demolition and eviction drives.
They claimed that growing resentment was building among tribal groups over what they termed inadequate political response to issues concerning land and housing.
The students warned that tribal organizations could intensify their agitation in the coming days and alleged that demonstrations may be held outside the Civil Secretariat in Srinagar to highlight their concerns.
The arrest of Talib Hussain and the subsequent protests have added a fresh political dimension to the ongoing debate over demolition drives, land rights and the concerns being raised by tribal communities in Jammu and Kashmir. [KNT]
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