Tarigami seeks release of ‘political detainees’

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, May 11

Mohammed Yousuf Tarigami, CPM leader and an MLA in the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir, on Tuesday demanded the release of Kashmiri “political detainees” lodged in various jails within the Valley in view of the surge in Covid-19 cases.

The surge had put their lives in congested jails at risk and the government should release them on humanitarian grounds, he demanded.

“Releasing all political prisoners in these tough times can end the miseries of their families too. The present situation is a humanitarian crisis of the worst kind and the government needs to take a holistic view,” he said.

Tarigami said releasing prisoners before Eid could be a good gesture by the government. He also cited the Supreme Court’s recent directive to consider release of prisoners by adopting the guidelines of the National Legal Services Authority on the issue to decongest jails.

He said hundreds of Kashmiri prisoners, including teenagers, were languishing in jails within and outside J&K for years now. “Some of them are behind bars for years together and their cases need to be reviewed in the light of Supreme Court directions,” he said.