Srinagar: The People’s Democratic Party Youth president and Parliament candidate for the Srinagar-Pulwama constituency, Waheed ur Rehman Parra, here on Wednesday made a resolute commitment to secure the release of imprisoned Kashmiri youths detained under stringent laws such as the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) and the Public Safety Act (PSA).
Parra made these remarks while addressing a public meeting in Budgam. He also addressed several public gatherings in Ganderbal, Budgam, and Pulwama as part of his campaign trail. Drawing from his personal experience of spending two years in incarceration, Para empathetically voiced his solidarity with the incarcerated youth, emphasizing their plight and the necessity of amplifying their voices on a national platform.
He said he would draw the attention of the government in power to address the genuine aspirations of the people and to grant amnesty to youth and students so that they could live normal and dignified lives. He also vowed to fight for political prisoners languishing in different jails across the country and make efforts to bring them back to their homeland so that their families could meet them on a regular basis. He added that these families are going through terrible pain since it costs them thousands to travel and meet their kin. He said he would highlight these issues and make significant efforts to bring them to Kashmir if voted in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
Waheed highlighted efforts launched by party president Mehbooba Mufti when she, as chief minister, announced an amnesty for first-time “offenders of stone pelting for 4,500 youth in the valley. He said that the PDP has always believed in dialogue and reconciliation processes. Parra said that the coercion and oppression methods tested by this government have failed to bring changes in Kashmir. Dialogue and reconciliation have been effective in ending alienation among youth and bringing considerable change. We proved it during Mufti Sahib’s regime and again when Mehbooba Ji revoked the cases of hundreds of students.
He emphasized the urgency of addressing the plight of these forgotten individuals, highlighting the anguish of being separated from their families and the broader societal neglect they face. He expressed his determination to champion their cause in Parliament if voted to power, pledging to be a vocal advocate for justice and the restoration of their fundamental rights.
He said that he is firmly resolved to ensure that the voices of these imprisoned youths are heard in the highest legislative institution of the country and their grievances are addressed.
