Terming the detention of over 50 mainstream leaders, including three former chief ministers as “murder of democracy”, Awami National Conference (ANC) president Begum Khalida Shah Tuesday said that depriving political prisoners from basic facilities was an “act of revenge.”
Talking to a local news agency Begum Khalida said everybody has a right to differ in a democratic setup. “But the Central government has kept those who differ with their opinion in jails. There is no legal or constitutional reason to keep the political leaders behind the bars, who differ with the government’s opinion,” she said.
The ANC president said that due to the detention of three former chief ministers – Dr Farooq Abdullah, Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti – political activities in Jammu and Kashmir have come to a standstill. “It seems as if emergency has been declared in J&K,” she said.
Over the reports of lack of basic facilities to political leaders detained at MLA Hostel-turned-sub-jail, Begum Khalida said, “It is a human rights violation. Till yesterday those police officers who were saluting them, are today mistreating them in prison which is unfortunate and condemnable.”
She demanded immediate release of political prisoners.