Police ‘implicating’ minors in false cases: Geelani

Srinagar: Accusing the police of implicating minors in “fictitious” cases, Hurriyat Conference (G) Chairman, Syed Ali Shah Geelani Saturday sought the intervention of UNICEF and other international bodies in the matter.

In a statement issued here today, Geelani strongly condemned the arrest of a 15-year- old boy, Touseef Hussain Bhat from Shopian under PSA while alleging that the police had implicated a 14-year-old student, Mohammad Imran Ganai from Budgam in a false case under section 302. “ Last September a policeman died due to an accident in Budgam, but his death was linked to pro-freedom protests and the police  implicated several innocent persons including Imran in fictitious cases related to the policeman’s death. The UNICEF should take notice of these oppressive tactics,” Geelani said.

Expressing concern over the plight of detainees across jails, Geelani urged Amnesty International and Red Cross to take notice of the “ill-treatment” meted out to political prisoners. “Under a policy of political vendetta, political prisoners are being held in worst conditions in faraway jails, which is in contradiction to the ruling of India Supreme Court,” he said.

“To cite one example, political prisoners at the Kot Balwal jail are kept under the most inhumane conditions. They are being deprived of proper medical facilities, and being fed sub-standardized food. After travelling hundreds of kilometers their families are not allowed to meet them,” Geelani alleged.