Denied permission to meeting the agitating detainees in Baramulla sub-jail on Thursday, the Awami Itihad Party (AIP) president and MLA Langate Er Rashid said “there is every possibility that somewhere in J&K, authorities may repeat the Bhopal fake encounter”.
“It seems that getting cue a from Bhopal fake encounter, in which seven detainees were killed, there is every possibility that somewhere in J&K, authorities may repeat the Bhopal massacre,” Rashid said in a statement issued to GNS.
He said there can be nothing “inhuman” than “beating prisoners inside jail, keeping them locked like animals and denying them food and other basic amenities”. “Government must understand that they are political prisoners not criminals and under all circumstances and laws their rights need to be protected,” he said.
Rashid termed it “shameful” that “the jail superintendent has herself been involved in insulting, abusing, and torturing prisoners, and leaving dozens injured”.
Justifying the hunger strike by detainees, the AIP president said any delay in resolving the issue may further deteriorate the situation. “The jail superintendent Rajni Sighal is doing all this just to give a cover to her corruption cases and other misdeeds for which she is known for. The said officer is known for her communal approach and hurting the sentiments of detainees inside jails,” Rashid alleged and warned the jail superintendent of “dire consequences” if she doesn’t mend her behaviour.