Srinagar, May 31: The Chairman of Hurriyat Conference (G) Syed Ali Shah Geelani on Tuesday accused the Government of prolonging “unjustifiably” the detention of separatist leaders and activists.

 “This situation has created an atmosphere of suffocation in entire Kashmir,” Geelani said. 

 Geelani visited the residence of incarcerated Hurriyat leader Gen Musa at Saida Kadal here and enquired about the health of his ailing mother. “Gen Musa has spent almost 20-years in jail during which he passed through several personal losses like martyrdom of this father Moulana Muhammad Sidiq and now his mother is also on death bed. The jail authorities are delaying his release. One of his brothers was also martyred during the ongoing freedom struggle. He himself is an embodiment of sacrifices and firm determination,” he said.

 Geelani alleged that another incarcerated Hurriyat (G) leader Ghulam Nabi Sumjhi continued to be in jail for years despite court orders for his release.

“Sumjhi’s daughter is suffering from cancer and his own health has deteriorated,” he said.

 Geelani said a youth Manzoor Ahmad Khan was serving detention for past one and a half years during which his father and wife passed away. “Despite this tragedy he was not released,” he said, adding that “Another youth Mukhtar Ahmad Kumar of Wanihama, Hazratbal, is under detention in Udhampur Jail. His father Ghulam Muhammad Kumar passed away recently.

He has five sisters and old mother. Despite all this, he was not released,” he said.

 Geelani urged the Amnesty International and human rights organizations to take cognizance of the detainees’ plight and exert pressure on India for their immediate release. 

 Meanwhile, Geelani paid glowing tributes to the children and other persons of Wullar Tragedy on their 5th death anniversary. He expressed serious concern that those responsible for the tragedy had not been brought to book ever after the lapse of 5-years. “This has caused great pain and agony to the families of these kids,” he said

Lastupdate on : Tue, 31 May 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Tue, 31 May 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Wed, 1 Jun 2011 00:00:00 IST