A day after his release from detention under PSA, National Conference President Dr Farooq Abdullah underlined the importance of free exchange of ideas and urged all political leaders here to unite in demand of bringing back all J&K detainees from outside jails, pending their release.
Dr Farooq issued the following statement to the press: “I haveconsciously avoided making any political statements since I was released fromdetention on 13th of March. While I believe a free and frank exchange ofpolitical views is essential so that we can take stock of the momentous changesthat J&K has seen after 5th August 2019, we are still some way away from anenvironment where such political discourse will be possible. This is especiallyso considering the number of people detained in August last year who remain injails outside J&K.
“I am acutely aware that compared to hundreds of Kashmirifamilies I have been far more fortunate. I was detained at home and my familyhad access to me. Yesterday when I went to meet my son Omar, also detainedunder the Public Safety Act, I had to travel a kilometre from my home to beable to see him. For families of most of the detainees meeting their loved onesis not nearly as easy. Their loved ones have been detained in jails spreadacross a number of states. They get two visits a month for which they have tospend large sums of money they can ill afford traveling to and staying in thevicinity of these prisons.
“The already onerous financial burden is made worse by thehealth risk they now face because of COVID-19. At a time when people are beingadvised not to travel, these families are being forced to put their lives atrisk in order to meet their loved ones for a few short but very precious hours.
“Before we allow politics to divide us, I appeal to allpolitical leaders here to unite behind the call to the union government tobring back all detainees from J&K in prisons outside pending their release.While we would like to see them all released as soon as possible, pending thatthey should be shifted to J&K. This is a humanitarian demand and I hopeothers will join me in placing this demand in front of the government ofIndia.”