Dr Farooq Abdullah seeks medical care for ailing prisoners

Anantnag, Jun 24: National Conference president  Dr Farooq Abdullah on Tuesday called for the release of ailing prisoners, including separatist leader Shabir Shah, and urged authorities to provide them proper medical treatment.

“Shabir Shah is ailing and should either be treated or released on parole. If he dies in jail, the blame will fall on the government. It is a question of humanity,” Dr Abdullah told reporters at Dooru in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district during a party convention.

“I agree with Mirwaiz Umar Farooq that what is being done with the prisoners is a human rights violation,” he said, adding that inmates in Tihar and other jails deserve medical care. NC President  also criticised what he called the "punishment" of Jammu and Kashmir for being a Muslim-majority region.

“Pakistan was at our doorsteps, but we rejected them and acceded to India. Now, even our statehood has been snatched because we are a Muslim-majority territory,” the former chief minister said.

Welcoming the Centre’s recent approval of the Mughal Road and Sadhna tunnel projects, Dr Abdullah urged the government to sanction more strategic routes, including the Kapran-Doda tunnel and a tunnel connecting the Warwan and Marwah valleys.

“These are much-needed projects that will benefit the people and enhance connectivity,” he said.

NC President  also welcomed reports of a ceasefire between Iran and Israel, calling it a positive development.

“I am thankful to the Almighty. It is a good thing. Innocent people were getting killed. I pray the ceasefire lasts,” he said.

Asked whether the United States had surrendered before Iran, Abdullah said the move stemmed from humanitarian concern and global pressure.

“Nobody surrendered. But out of humanity, they said this should stop. It would have impacted the economy — not just theirs but globally. There was pressure on America,” he said.

On the upcoming Amarnath Yatra, beginning July 3, Abdullah expressed hope that all pilgrims would return home safely after visiting the shrine.

“We hope that pilgrims go back with happy memories after having darshan of Bholenath and tell people how good the people here are, and about the beauty God has given this place,” he said.