Iltija Mufti, daughter of former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti has written a letter to Lt. Governor G.C. Murmu demanding the release of Kashmiri prisoners in jails across the country.
“As you’re aware, thousands of Kashmiris. including mymother Ms. Mufti, ex-Chief Minister J&K have been jailed since 5th August.As the world prepares to battle the deadly COVID-19 (already declared a globalpandemic by WHO), India in all likelihood has entered Stage 3 in which thevirus spreads through community transmission.
“J&K has already reported four cases and thenumbers will go up exponentially in the coming weeks,” letter reads.
She said, “Since no known medication/vaccination forCOVID-19 existed as yet, self isolation has emerged as the safest bet to fightthe outbreak. Overcrowded jails and lack of healthcare therefore makes thesedetainees highly vulnerable to the deadly contagion.
“It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that prisons allover India might become the new epicentre of this epidemic.”
Iltija Mufti further wrote: “Senior citizens over 65and those with an underlying illness such as diabetes, hypertension and breathingissues are especially susceptible to COVID-19. There are hundreds of seniorcitizens from the valley battling multiple ailments across jails in thecountry. Some of these detainees come from humble families where the membershaven’t been able to afford a single trip to visit their sons and brotherslodged in jails outside Kashmir. You can well imagine their anxiety and concernin the wake of COVID-19 pandemic.
“Keeping in mind the aforementioned circumstances, Iwould like to request you to release all detainees immediately and allow themto return home. At a time when jails even in USA are releasing inmates, onefails to understand reluctance of GOI in freeing detainees jailed for the pasteight months on trumped up charges.
“We are in the midst of an extraordinary medicalsituation and healthcare systems all over the world are collapsing. I urge youto consider my request. I’m sure you will agree the collective health and wellbeing of each of these detainees overrides every other consideration/rationalefor their detention,” letter reads.