Spokesperson of the Jammu Kashmir Democratic Freedom Party (JKDFP) Advocate Arshad Iqbal has condemned recent arrests, raids on homes and seizure of properties in Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir, terming the actions an attempt to suppress the political voice of Kashmiris and create fear among the people.
JKDFP condemns arrests, raids and property seizures in IIOJK
ISLAMABAD, Sep 14 (APP):Spokesperson of the Jammu Kashmir Democratic Freedom Party (JKDFP) Advocate Arshad Iqbal has condemned recent arrests, raids on homes and seizure of properties in Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir, terming the actions an attempt to suppress the political voice of Kashmiris and create fear among the people.
In a statement issued here on Monday, he said thousands of Kashmiris were imprisoned in different jails across India and were being kept far from their homes and families under difficult conditions.
He named several political leaders and activists among the prisoners, including Shabir Ahmed Shah, Muhammad Yasin Malik, Aasiya Andrabi, Masrat Alam Butt, Dr Hameed Fayaz, Muhammad Qasim Faktoo, Zafar Akbar Butt, Naeem Ahmad Khan and Advocate Mian Abdul Qayoom, former president of the Jammu and Kashmir High Court Bar Association.
Iqbal said Kashmiri prisoners held in Tihar, Agra and other jails were facing extreme heat, inadequate medical facilities, prolonged separation from their families and other hardships. He expressed particular concern over the condition of sick, elderly and long-term prisoners.
He appealed to Amnesty International, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the United Nations and other international human rights organisations to take immediate notice of the situation and urge the Indian government to ensure respect for the fundamental rights and dignity of Kashmiri prisoners.
The JKDFP spokesperson specifically called for independent and unhindered access for the ICRC to Indian prisons to assess the medical and living conditions of Kashmiri prisoners and meet them privately.
He also urged international human rights organisations to independently monitor and document arrests, raids and property seizures in Jammu and Kashmir.
“Kashmiri political prisoners and thousands of detainees must not be forgotten. We appeal to the international community not to remain silent and to act urgently to protect their lives, health, human dignity and fundamental rights,” he said.
