Srinagar, October 16, 2011 : The parents of Kashmiri detainees lodged in Tihar Jail, New Delhi, have expressed serious concern over the plight of their incarcerated sons in this jail.
in a statement, the parents said that these detainees were meted out very hostile and acrimonious treatment by the jail authorities.
“They are lodged in the cells with criminal convicts and denied all facilities including medical aid,” said the parents. The parents said that no body is doing anything to provide effective legal aid to them and highlight their miseries.
The parents have appealed to the international human rights organizations to visit this jail and see for themselves the plight of Kashmiri detainees there and exert pressure on the jail authorities to put an immediate halt to the alleged atrocities on these detainees.
Meanwhile, a Kashmiri woman, Taja Begum who lost her husband stood strong to bring up her four sons and four daughters said, “When my husband died, my children were toddlers. I did not lose hope and stood strong to give best upbringing to my children. But my efforts fetched nothing and I am all alone.”
Taja worked hard to support her family and nurture her children. As her sons grew up and began to earn, Taja was much relieved of her burden. “But least did I know of the life long pain I had to endure,” she adds. The calm of Taja’s life was shattered in January 1996 when a group of gunmen barged into her house and asked her three sons- Muhammad Ramzaan, Muhammad Amin and Ghulam Nabi to accompany them. On next day morning the bodies of two of her son’s were found in paddy field while her third son, Ghulam Nabi was soon subjected to enforced disappearance.
Ironically Taja’s only surviving son, Mushtaq Ahmad, has been crippled after being shot by Indian armed forces in 1997. Despite all odds, Taja married off her daughters. She has neither any earning hand nor is she in a condition to work. “We provide money for her living because she is unable to earn anything. She is alone,” said an activist working for APDP.