Srinagar, Oct 30: The Amnesty International has urged the Jammu and Kashmir government to release immediately the 18-year-old youth detained under Public Safety Act (PSA) in Srinagar.
 According to statement issued here by the Amnesty International, a local court in Srinagar has already ordered the release of Muhammad Mubarakh Bhat, 18, of Srinagar, who was arrested by the police for being involved in disrupting the law and order.
 “A local court has found the charges against Bhat unworthy and ordered his release on bail on October 1. The court has also said Bhat should not have been subjected to custodial interrogation,” the statement reads. “Instead of releasing him on bail, Bhat was detained for further three days, and October 4, the authorities issued an administrative detention order under the PSA to detain him, and transferred him to Kotbalwal Jail in Jammu.”
 The PSA detention order of Bhat, according to the statement, claims that Bhat was heavily involved in stone-pelting incidents, rioting, and activities which were “prejudicial to the security of state” and lists grounds for detention similar to those under which he remains charged under criminal law.
 “This case is just one of many examples that show how the J&K authorities use the PSA as informal punishment and subvert the criminal justice system,” the statement quotes Shashikumar Velath, Director Programs, Amnesty International India as having said . “We want the government of JK to know that we are watching them, and we are listening to the people who need us to support the defence of their rights,” the statement added.

Lastupdate on : Tue, 30 Oct 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Tue, 30 Oct 2012 18:30:00 GMT
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