KNZ NEWS DESK
Srinagar, July 21 【KNZ】: The Democratic Freedom Party (DFP) on Friday expressed strong resentment over the continuous house arrest of its chairman Shabir Ahmad Shah saying the state administration has broken all records of tyranny and brutality.
In a statement issued to press, DFP secretary general Moulana Abdullah Tari said since Shah was released in 2011, he has been continuously kept either in police detention or under house arrest and during this time he was barred from offering 252 Friday and 13 Eid prayers. “During this period, many of Shah Sahib’s close relatives passed away but he wasn’t allowed to attend the last rites. He is not allowed to even offer the congregational Friday prayers,
He said Shabir Ahmad Shah has spent 31 years of his life in jails and the administration by incarcerating him is resorting to “political vengeance.”
Criticising authorities, Tari said such “undemocratic” acts puncture the balloon of the so-called ‘battle of ideas’. He said through such actions, the administration “has validated our point that there is no such thing as ‘freedom of religion’ in the state”.
“Is the right to freedom of expression enjoyed only by those in power?” Tari questioned.
Moulana Tari also expressed concern over the continuous house detention of Hurriyat Conference chairman Syed Ali Geelani and Muhammad Ashraf Sehrai and said authorities have converted their residences into sub-jails.
He expressed deep concern over the continuous detention of leaders and activists of Tehreek-e-Hurriyat, Awami Action Committee, and JKLF. He condemned the continuous detention of pro-freedom leaders including Masarat Alam Bhat, Syeda Aasiya Andrabi, Fehmeeda Sofi, Ghulam Muhammad Khan Sopori, Shahid ul Islam, Qazi Yasir, Mukhtar Waza,Zafer Akbar Bhat Chairman Salvation Moment , Moulana Sarjan Barkati, and dozens of activists of Tehreek-e-Hurriyat including Peer Hafizullah, Muhammad Yousuf Falahi; Freedom Party’s district president Tanveer Ahmad ,Ashiq Hussain and several activists.
The DFP secretary general said despite the arrest of pro-freedom leaders and activists, the people are strongly committed to the freedom movement. “This is an open proof that arrests and oppression won’t stop people and leadership from continuing the struggle for the right to self-determination,” he said.
Moulana expressed deep grief over the killing of a minor girl by a speeding army vehicle in Zainapora, Shopian. And Beerawh Tanveer Ahmad “We fail to understand why occupational forces are hell bent on killing Kashmiris on one pretext or the other,” he said and expressed condolence and solidarity with the bereaved family.
Tari also condemned the use of force including pellets on people who were demanding booking of the erring army personnel. He prayed for speedy recovery of the injured.
He also expressed grief over the loss of lives and properties due to cloudburst in Doda and Kishtwar and extended solidarity with the affected families.
