Srinagar, Nov 5 : PDP Chief and former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Wednesday said that thousands of Kashmiris detained since 2019 continue to languish in jails outside Jammu and Kashmir, urging authorities to shift them back to the region to ease the suffering of their families.
Mehbooba said that since 2019, more than 3,500 people have been arrested and many of their families are unaware of their whereabouts. “We are not asking for their release, but they should be brought back to Jammu and Kashmir so that their families can at least meet them and pursue their cases here,” she said as per KNS.
She stated that families of detainees have exhausted their resources fighting legal battles. “Some sold their homes, some sold land and jewellery to pay for legal expenses. Many cannot even afford to visit the jails where their relatives are held,” she said, adding that several detainees have been under trial for six to seven years without conviction.
Mehbooba said she has written to the Union Home Minister, Director General of Police, and Chief Secretary seeking details about the detainees but received no response. She also recalled moving a resolution in the Assembly for their transfer, which was rejected.
Responding to National Conference leader Omar Abdullah’s remarks that the issue was sub-judice, Mehbooba questioned the selective silence. “Wasn’t Article 370 sub-judice? Isn’t statehood sub-judice? Yet discussions are held on those issues. Why can’t we speak about our people in jails?” she asked.
Clarifying her stand, Mehbooba said her plea was not about prominent political prisoners. “The people we are talking about are poor, voiceless, and forgotten. Their families have no means to approach higher courts. Someone has to speak for them,” she said.
