Mirwaiz Appeals to PM Modi, Amit Shah for Release of Kashmiri Prisoners

Srinagar, Oct 10: Hurriyat Conference chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq on Friday appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah to release Kashmiri prisoners, saying the gesture would help win the hearts of the people in the valley.

Addressing the Friday congregation at Srinagar’s historic Jamia Masjid, Mirwaiz, who also serves as the chief cleric of Kashmir, said that hundreds of Kashmiris — both young and old — continue to languish in jails for years, many under stringent laws, for merely holding dissenting views.

“Their mental and physical health has been gravely affected, and their families continue to suffer immensely,” he said.

Among those imprisoned, Mirwaiz mentioned political leaders including Democratic Freedom Party chief Shabir Shah, JKLF chief Yasin Malik, Dukhtaran-e-Milat head Asiya Andrabi, Lok Sabha MP from north Kashmir Sheikh Abdul Rashid (Engineer Rashid), and Aam Aadmi Party MLA Mehraj Malik.

Appealing to the central leadership to view the matter from a “humanitarian and democratic perspective,” the Mirwaiz said releasing these detainees would bring relief to their families and help build trust among the people.

“Such a step would go a long way in winning the hearts of the people of Kashmir and earning their goodwill,” he added.