Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti today criticized Chief Minister Omar Abdullah for allegedly neglecting the plight of detainees of Jammu and Kashmir.
Mehbooba said that she had hoped the formation of an elected government in the union Territory would lead to the issue being taken up with the Centre and legal aid being provided to those languishing in jails.
Speaking to the media, Mehbooba said that she had appealed to Omar Abdullah to constitute an all-party delegation to visit prisons where people from Jammu and Kashmir are lodged.
“I have never heard Omar sahib speak about the people languishing in jails, or raise their issue when he met the Prime Minister or the Home Minister,” she said, accusing him of sidelining a pressing humanitarian concern.
The former Chief Minister said that she approached the High Court seeking the transfer of Jammu and Kashmir detainees lodged in prisons outside the union Territory back to local jails due to humanitarian concerns and the plight of their families.
Mehbooba, earlier this week, moved the Court seeking the return to the UT of all undertrials held in jails outside J&K. The same day, the ruling National Conference accused Mehbooba of “double standards” on the prisoners’ issue.
She said that since 2019, more than 3,500 people from Jammu and Kashmir have been languishing in jails across India.
The PDP chief highlighted the suffering of the detainees’ families, many of whom, she said, have exhausted their savings trying to fight legal battles.
“I have met old parents, some nearly blind, young sisters whose only brothers were arrested, and wives and children whose sole breadwinner is behind bars. Many sold their land, houses, or jewelry to pursue their cases. Those who could not afford it have been left helpless,” she claimed.
Mehbooba further added that they did not demand the release of undertrials, despite no charges having been proven against them even after six or seven years.
“But at least they should be shifted back to Jammu and Kashmir, where their families can meet them and attend court hearings,” she said, adding that the families only get to see their loved ones for “barely ten seconds” during virtual court appearances, leaving them in despair.
Terming her legal move as a last resort, the PDP president said, “We went to court because this is the last door of justice. We request that even if the government does not release them, at least bring them back to Jammu and Kashmir so that their parents, sisters, and children can see them, and their access to courts becomes easier.”
