Syed Ali Geelani
Srinagar:Paying rich tributes to militants killed in Hapatnar, Budgam and Heff Shopian encounters, Hurriyat Conference (G) chairman Syed Ali Geelani on Tuesday reiterated that the youth of Kashmir were forced to opt for gun as a reaction to “Indian military and forcible occupation of the state”.
Terming Kashmir as a bone of contention between the two nuclear powers of the subcontinent, Hurriyat (G) chairman in a statement issued to GNS “regretted that the stubborn attitude of India regarding this globally accepted political dispute and dealing with it only militarily has created death and destruction in whole state and threatening even the idea of peace and stability of the region”.
Meanwhile, Geelani expressed serious concern over the plight of Kashmiri prisoners in jails especially Tihar, and said despite repeated reminders, administration seems to be unconcerned and least bothered about the worst condition these prisoners are facing.
Citing the example of a prisoner Muzaffar Ahmad Dar who is languishing in Tihar jail for the last 10 years, Hurriyat (G) chairman said Dar is suffering from a serious ailment for the last so many days and is having unbearable pain, but jail administration didn’t listen to his horrifying cries. Instead of providing him medical care, he has been left to battle for his life, he said.
A person confined in four walls miles away from his family, under every law qualifies for a human treatment, but the “revengeful” attitude of Indian rulers has blinded them to the extent that they forget the obligations and legal responsibilities to ensure their safety at any cost, he said.
Geelani said these detainees are denied the basic and fundamental rights especially medical aid resulting in their ill health.
“Recently Peer Saifullah, a brain tumour patient, due to lack of timely medical attention, fell unconscious. Senior Hurriyat leaders Shabir Ahmad Shah and Asiya Andrabi are also sick for quite some time and criminal negligence by the authorities has taken a heavy toll on their health.
“Altaf Ahmad Shah is a known patient of diabetes and improper diet and medical negligence has badly affected him. Likewise, Mehraj-ud-din Kalwal and Zahoor Ahmad Watali are also suffering from multiple ailments, but authorities hardly care about their wellbeing,” he said.
The pro-freedom leader said that wives of Ayaz Akbar and Shahid-ul-Islam are suffering from life threatening health problems and their life partners should have been around them in this need of hour. “But our oppressor is so harsh that it enjoys the painful and agonizing condition of the families of these prisoners,” he said.
Geelani further said that Syed Shakeel Ahmad and Syed Shahid Yousuf are also targeted and humiliated for being sons of Hizb chief Syed Salahuddin. “They have no affiliation with any of the political party and both where performing their professional duties in their respective fields,” he said.
Geelani said that other prisoners in Tihar jail including Nayeem Ahmad Khan, Farooq Ahmad Dar, Fehmeeda Sofi, Nahida Nasreen, Mohammad Aslam Wani, Mushtaq Ahmad, Dr Mohammad Shafi and others are facing very hard times and Kashmiris in general and their families in particular are worried about their safety. (GNS)