Hurriyat Conference (G) chairman Syed Ali Geelani today expressed deep anguish and concern over the ‘worsening’ health condition of prisoners, saying “they are being ill-treated and subjected to mental and physical torture in jails.”
“Kashmiri inmates in Udhampur Jail are subjected to inhuman deprivation of medical treatment. Unavailability of medicines and medical care and substandard quality of food is taking tool on their health. They are compelled to use dirty and unhygienic utensils and even no proper food is provided to them as per jail manual,” Geelani, in a statement today, said, appealing to the international human rights organizations to visit the jails and see for themselves to plight of these prisoners.
Strongly denouncing the Udhampur jail authorities for their “inhuman and harsh behavior” against detainees, Geelani said, “they have turned jail into hell and jail inmates are pressurised and compelled to participate in obscene and offensive cultural programmes and dance concerts.”
“Oppression against Kashmiris, particularly youth, is going on. The inmates are put in cells, in solitary confinements for long periods, deprived of their contact with near and dear ones and also basic needs,” he said.