Amid Covid spread, Hurriyat seeks release of Kashmiri prisoners

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, March 24

The Hurriyat Conference headed by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq has demanded the release of all Kashmiri political prisoners from jails across the country.

In a statement the amalgam said after the Covid-19 pandemic the well-being of all these prisoners was at greater risk causing great concern among their family members and people at large.

The Hurriyat said the civil society members, students and youth held in various jails in Tihar, Agra, Jaipur and elsewhere as well as in jails across J&K should be released.

“So they should be released and sent home”, it said while also expressing concern over the health of jailed JKLF leader Yasin Malik.

“After the press conference of JKLF chief Yasin Malik’s mother and sister in Srinagar, in which they said his health condition had worsened in jail and as he was not being given a fair trial in a 30-year-old case. Ailing Yasin Malik has decided to go on an indefinite hunger strike from April 1”, they said, adding that Malik’s well-being is the responsibility of the Central Government who should ensure it so that nothing untoward happens to him in jail .

The Hurriyat also reiterated its appeal to the people to stay at home and follow medical advice.

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People asked to avoid prayers in mosques

The Jamia Auqaf Committee headed by Mirwaiz has appealed the people to avoid congregational prayers in mosques and offer prayers at home to avoid the spread of Covid-19.It said Srinagar’s grand mosque had already been closed for congregational prayers.