Hurriyat forum led by Mirwaiz demands release of all Kashmiri detainees

Hurriyat forum led by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq has demanded immediate and unconditional release of all illegally detained Kashmiris lodged in various jails of the territory and India.

The Hurriyat forum expressed serious concern over the miserable plight of thousands of Kashmiri prisoners including Hurriyat leaders, activists and youth lodged in Tihar, Kot Bhalwal, Amphala, Jodhpur, Agra, Haryana and various other jails of IIOJK and India or have been under house arrest before and after August 05, 2019, especially in times of COVID-19. It said that these prisoners were being victimized for their political ideology.

The statement pointed out that Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, who is also the leading religious leader of IIOJK, continues to be under arbitrary house arrest since August 05, 2019. It said that such repressive actions by the Indian authorities were not only violation of basic human rights of the Mirwaiz and other Kashmiri prisoners but also an extreme step against their right to personal liberty guaranteed by world forums to all the people of the globe.

The Hurriyat forum said that due to continued detention and pathetic jail conditions, the physical and mental health of most of the prisoners had been affected adversely. “This is a matter of serious concern and worry for the people of Kashmir. The world’s nations and human rights bodies should take cognizance of the matter,” it added.

The forum reiterated that India’s policy of repression cannot suppress the Kashmiris’ freedom sentiment and they will continue their struggle till complete success. It maintained that the Kashmir dispute has to be resolved sooner or later. The sooner it is resolved, the better it will be for the people and peace of entire region, it added.

The Hurriyat forum added that the solution to the Kashmir dispute is “to go to the people of all regions of Jammu and Kashmir as it existed before 1947 or through deliberations among the key stakeholders known to all.”