Srinagar: People’s Democratic Party has welcomed the release of senior party leader and former minister Naeem Akhtar, after five months of incarceration and sought release of all political prisoners languishing in jails in and outside of J&K.
In a statement issued here party General Secretary Gh Nabi Lone Hanjura said ‘the continued illegal incarceration of political leaders despite the raging pandemic belittles the claims of restoration of democracy in Jammu and Kashmir.’
“Five months ago Naeem Sb and Sartaj sb were arbitrarily picked up on frivolous grounds and put in jail without any rhyme and reason. Despite their old age and numerous underlying medical issues they were kept in detention even during the raging pandemic. Even after his release from jail Naeem Akhtar continues to be under house arrest, ” Hanjura said.
Urging authorities to release senior party leader and former party VP Sartaj Madni, Hanjura said given the prevailing health scare and lock downs it makes no sense for the government to keep Sartaj Madni under detention.
“Isn’t it ironic that even after NIA gave bail to party youth president Waheed ur Rehman Parra its state counterpart continues to detain him under similar charges for which the NIA court has already given him the bail for. The charges against Waheed are politically motivated. Authorities should immediately order his release and end his ordeal and long tryst with injustice, ” Hanjura said.
Hanjura also urged the government to release other political prisoners lodged in different jails in and outside of J&K on humanitarian grounds.
