KL Report
SRINAGAR
Hurriyat Conference (G) Chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani Monday sent letters to prime ministers of India and Pakistan drawing their attention towards the safety and security of prisoners languishing in jails across the border.
“Following the unfortunate death of Surbjeet Sing in Kot Lakhpat jail Pakistan, the murderous assault on Pakistani prisoner Sonaullah in Kot Balwal Jail had an adverse effect and a wave of anxiety has grabbed the people of both countries and hundreds of effected families. They are worried and feel apprehensive with respect to the safety of their near and dear ones. We feel that this entire dilemma is a result out of the execution of a Kashmiri youth Muhammad Afzal Guroo in Tihar followed by his burial in jail premises and consequently denying to return his mortal remains. An innocent person was hanged to satisfy the national conscience, with the result a security risk for prisoners and instability and uncertainty was evolved in the subcontinent,” the letter reads.
“Respected Prime minister, I represent the aspirations and sentiments of people of Jammu & Kashmir and call your attention to the security and safety measures adopted for the prisoners. As a high responsible person and as custodian of law and justice, we deem it as your moral and ethical duty to take all possible safety measures for these prisoners,” it added.
Geelani further writes, “Secondly it also figures in your esteemed duty to see that these prisoners are treated as per charter laid by international community on 30th August 1955.The said documentary lays emphasis that all detainees be treated without discretions of their colour, creed, cast, religion, nationality and political ideology. We also call your attention for those prisoners who are departed from their families for no fault of theirs, have completed their detention period and are languishing only because of routine and unnecessary formalities. Those prisoners who have served their detention should be released forthwith.”
“Respected sir, We feel it our duty to bring it to your notice the plight of those families whose near ones are languishing in various detention centers and after the recent episodes in various jails feel insecure and anxious about their safety. The thing which figure among the most important is that Kashmir as an international issue and as an admitted fact figures among the conflict zone and is unresolved till date. As matter of fact the prisoners are to be treated as political prisoners’. They deserve the treatment as political prisoners and it is obligation on the part of your government to abide all international directives in this regard,” it added.
As per a statement Geelani has appealed both India and Pakistan to take impressive measures for the safety of detainees in their respective countries and in order to avoid recurrence of such unfortunate incidents both countries to see that there is no lacuna in the safety measures. “You need to check all loopholes; otherwise both the countries will have to share responsibility for the negative impact and the result there of,” it added.
