Srinagar: Democratic Party (PDP) on Monday welcomed the release of senior party leader and former minister Naeem Akhtar, after five months of ‘illegal incarceration’ and sought release of all political prisoners languishing in jails in and outside of J&K.
In a statement, party General Secretary Gh Nabi Lone Hanjura said the continued illegal incarceration of political leaders despite the raging pandemic belittles the claims of restoration of democracy in Jammu and Kashmir trumpeted by the government.
“Five months ago Naeem Akhtar and Sartaj Madni were arbitrarily picked up on frivolous grounds and put in jail without any rhyme and reason. Despite their old age and numerous underlying medical issues they were kept in detention even during the raging pandemic depicting the vindictives of the administration. Even after his release from jail Naeem Akhtar continues to be under house arrest,” Hanjura said.
He urged the government to release other political prisoners lodged in different jails within and outside of J&K on humanitarian grounds.