Srinagar: “State sponsored tactics won’t deter us from pursuing our mission nor will these suppressive and aggressive measures make us surrender,” said chairman of Hurriyat Conference (G) Syed Ali Geelani on Tuesday.
In a statement, Geelani said, “Suppression and oppression won’t deter us from pursuing our mission. We are a peace loving nation and are pursuing our right since past 70 years.”
“War is no option and no amount of suppression or oppression can deter us from pursuing our cherished movement,” Geelani said and urged for peaceful resolution of Kashmir issue.
He said the coercive measures, killings, detentions and suppressions will yield nothing, instead will lead to devastation.
Criticising state administration, Geelani said, “They have let lose the reign of terror and turned the state into a big jail.”
While referring to detainees’ plight, Hurriyat (G) chairman said the resistance leaders are being caged, denied political space, hundreds languishing since decades and even lodged outside state and in Tihar, Jodhpur, Kolkata and other jails.
Quoting relatives of jail mates, Geelani said that reports pouring in are “horrific” as these detainees are subjected to ill treatment.
He expressed his deep anguish and concern over the reported worsening condition of prisoners, saying “they are being ill-treated and subjected to mental and physical torture in jails”. “These prisoners are pursuing the right to self-determination through peaceful political means,” he said, adding that the international human rights organizations should take notice of the condition of Kashmiri prisoners who are being detained in jails across J&K and outside state.
“Kashmiri inmates in outside state jails are denied medical treatment, deprived of contact with near and dear ones and also other basic needs,” Hurriyat (G) chairman said, adding that international organizations for human rights must take cognizance of incarcerated Kashmiri youth and visit these jails.
Geelani expressed his deep concern over the falling health of incarcerated leaders including Shabir Ahmed Shah, Dr. Ghulam Mohammad Bhat, Ayaz Akbar, Altaf Ahmed Shah, Pir Saifullah, Raja Meraj-u-Din Kalwal, Naeem Ahmad Khan, Farooq Ahmad Dar, Shahid-ul-Islam, Kamran Yousuf, Javed Ahmed, Muhammad Aslam Wani and Zahoor Ahmed Watali and Muzaffar Ahmed Dar, saying no proper medical facility is provided to them.
“We have reports from outside state jail that Kashmiri youth are being targeted. They are treated badly and unavailability of medicines and medical care and substandard quality of food is taking tool on their health,” he said.
Geelani denounced jail authorities for their “inhuman and harsh behaviour” against detainees and said “if anything untoward happens to them, the local rulers and New Delhi shall have to face the consequences”. (GNS)
