Srinagar

Family members of detained leaders have complained about lack of facilities at the MLA hostel here at Lalchowk in Srinagar which has been designated as a sub-jail.

The relatives of the jailed leaders are demanding that the latter be shifted to a better a facility and “if the authorities are unable to provide them basic amenities, then put them under house arrest.”

“There is no proper heating and that is why, I got a carpet from home. The s

Relatives of political walking out from the MLA hostel after meeting their kins and kiths. KL Image by Tahir Bhat

ituation is so bad that I have to get a broom so that the floor can be cleaned before,” said Saqib Madni, son of former J&K minister Sartaj Madni.

“They are subjecting us to unnecessary harassment,” Saqib said.

“We demand that they be moved to homes and kept under arrest there. In this situation, their health is deteriorating,” said Saqib.

“ It is better if the administration moves them to the central jail in Srinagar or to the MLA hostel in Jammu,” said Tanveer Ahmad, a relative of NC leader Dr Bashir Ahmad Veeri.

“The women who had gone to meet their relatives inside were not only subjected to frisking, but were even asked to remove clothes. They also asked us to remove socks and headscarves,” said Shehriyar, daughter of former minister Naeem Akhtar.

Sheikh Mushtaq Ahmad, father of Deputy Mayor Sheikh Imran, came to meet his son for the first time at the MLA hostel. He said the detained politicians are getting a bad deal.

“My son is being tortured, there are no heating arrangements, the food is not good, rooms are not good,” Sheikh Mushtaq said.

Thirty-five mainstream political leaders detained since August 5 following the abrogation of Article 370 were moved from the Centaur hotel along the banks of the Dal Lake to the MLA hostel on Sunday.

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