Srinagar: Mirwaiz-e-Kashmir Dr. Moulvi Muhammad Umar Farooq on Friday appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah to release all Kashmiri prisoners lodged in different jails across the country, describing their continued detention as a deep humanitarian concern.
Addressing the Friday congregation at the historic Jama Masjid Srinagar, Mirwaiz said that October 10 marks the day when Shaheed-e-Millat Mirwaiz Muhammad Farooq was imprisoned in 1965 and subjected to great hardships during his three years in jail, experiences that left a lasting impact on his health.
“The tragedy is that this story continues even today,” Mirwaiz said, “as hundreds of Kashmiris, young and old, from all walks of life, continue to languish in jails for years and even decades under harsh laws, merely for holding dissenting political views.”
He said the prolonged detentions have caused immense mental and physical suffering to the detainees and their families. Among those incarcerated, Mirwaiz mentioned Shabir Shah, Yasin Malik, Asiya Andrabi, Aftab Shah, Engineer Rashid, and Mehraj Malik.
Appealing for a humanitarian approach, Mirwaiz said, “I once again urge the Prime Minister and the Home Minister to reconsider this matter from a humane and democratic perspective. Release these detainees to end their prolonged ordeal and the agony of their families.”
He added that such a gesture would help in “winning the hearts and goodwill of the people of Jammu and Kashmir” and could open a new chapter of reconciliation and understanding. [KNT]
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