Srinagar: Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) has condemned what it called ‘expediting the arrests and nocturnal raids’ stating that the government was treating political leaders and activists as criminals.
In a press release issued here, senior Vice Chairman of JKLF, Abdul Hameed Butt, stated that the ‘ugly oppression’ would only glamorize extremism and violence and added that JKLF condemned the prolonged incarceration of JKLF chairman and others who have been put behind bars.
He also alleged and condemned the nocturnal raids by police against JKLF Zonal President, Noor Muhammad Kalwal.
“It is undemocratic and despotic that JKLF Chairman, Muhammad Yasin Malik, has been slapped with draconian PSA and placed under solitary confinement at Kot-Balwal jail. Many other leaders from JKLF have also been booked under PSA and confines in various jails in and outside Kashmir,” Butt said.
While criticizing the government for what he called a ‘spree of nocturnal raids’ against JKLF zonal president, Noor Muhammad Kalwal, Butt said that police raided the houses of Kalwal’s relatives and neighbors at Naid Kadal Srinagar Friday night after the recent raids at his residence. “Police harassment is continuing unabated and a political leader who is present in almost all peaceful democratic programs is being hunted as if he is some unlawful person and the sanctity of houses and families is being trampled by police which is highly condemnable,” Butt added.
Butt also appealed international community and human rights organizations to take serious note of the prevailing situation in Kashmir and the ‘undemocratic’ attitude of government for ensuing democratic norms and space for political dissent.
