Mehbooba seeks return of Kashmiri detainees lodged in jails outside J&K

Srinagar, Nov 5: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) President and former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Wednesday said that thousands of Kashmiris detained since 2019 continue to languish in jails outside Jammu and Kashmir, urging authorities to shift them back to the region to ease the suffering of their families.

Talking to reporters here, Mehbooba said while the government has not provided accurate figures of the number of such prisoners despite writing to them for the last few years, especially after 2019, more than 3,000-3,500 people were arrested and have been lodged in jails outside J&K.

“We are not asking for their release, but they should be brought back to J&K so that their families can at least meet them and pursue their cases here,” she said as per KNS.

She stated that families of detainees have exhausted their resources fighting legal battles. “Some sold their homes, some sold land and jewellery to pay for legal expenses. Many cannot even afford to visit the jails where their relatives are held,” she said, adding that several detainees have been under trial for six to seven years without conviction.

Mehbooba said she has written to the Union Home Minister, Director General of Police, and Chief Secretary seeking details about the detainees but received no response. She also recalled moving a resolution in the Assembly for their transfer, which was rejected. Clarifying her stand, Mehbooba said her plea was not about prominent political prisoners. “The people we are talking about are poor, voiceless, and forgotten. Their families have no means to approach higher courts. Someone has to speak for them,” she said.