Bring back Kashmiri detenues lodged in different jails outside, HCBA to GoI, UT

Srinagar, May 1: Expressing concern over the health conditions of Kashmiri prisoners detained in jails outside the valley, High Court Bar Association (HCBA) on Saturday urged Union Territory (UT) administration and Government of India (GoI) to bring them back to valley in view of massive spike in COVID positive cases in the country.
In an extra ordinary meeting which was chaired by HCBA president Advocate Nazir Ahmad Ronga, the bar demanded immediate shifting of Kashmiri prisoners detained in outside the jails since August 5, 2019 when centre abrogated Article 370 and 35 A besides divided the Jammu and Kashmir into two UTs.
The meeting urged upon the GoI and the UT administration to shift Kashmiri prisoners from outside jails to the nearest jails in Kashmir in view of the disastrous wave throughout India which is consuming thousands of lives everyday.
The family members of these prisoners are seriously concerned about the health and lives of their loved ones, a statement issued by HCBA spokesman said here today.
The HCBA said that in Tihar Jail, New Delhi, Kashmiri prisoner Shahidul Islam is Covid infected. Brain tumor patient Bashir Ahmad Bhat is very sick in prison. Health condition of other prisoners, including Muhammad Yaseen Malik, Shabir Ahmed Shah, Nayeem Khan, Asiya Andrabi, Nahida Nasreen, Ayaz Akbar, Parvaiz Mir and Ferooz Ahmad Bhat is deteriorating fast.
The HCBA also demanded the cases of these detenues be reviewed for release on parole and in view of the grave pandemic situation, spokesman said adding in the meeting it was decided to appeal the GoI and UT administration for review of the cases for release on parole and shifting of these prisoners to the nearest jails in Kashmir.