Srinagar, Jun 01 (KNS): Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Movement (JKPM) President, Dr Shah Faesal has reiterated his demand for unconditional release of all political prisoners on the eve of Eid-ul-Fitr, the religious festival of Muslims, being celebrated all over the world, at the conclusion of the holy month of fasting, Ramadan.

In a statement issued to KNS, Shah Faesal has urged the Governor S P Malik to release political prisoners before ensuing Eid-ul-Fitr, as a goodwill gesture, so that they can celebrate this holy religious festival with their families.

He said releasing of political prisoners on Eid-ul-Fitr would be a good initiative to build an environment of trust and reconciliation in the state.

Faesal argued that the health condition of some political prisoners has worsened and they need to be released immediately on humanitarian grounds.

In this connection, he referred to the case of Peer Saifullah who is lodged in Tihar jail for many years despite being a tumour patient.

“He has undergone three surgeries and he should be released immediately so that his family members can attend on him,” Faesal added.

Similarly Meraj-ud-Din Kalwal and Ayaz Akbar are lodged in Tihar jail for a long time now and their health conditions have deteriorated severely".

“First step towards the release would be to shift detainees like Maulana Mushtaq Veeri from jails outside the State. Similarly, Sarjan Barkati needs to be given another chance. His family has suffered a lot and his release can bring a huge relief to them,” Shah Faesal said.

“Eid would be a great occasion to start this process. It has to be then taken forward,” he added.

Shah Faesal has last week also, during his meeting with the Governor Satya Pal Malik at Raj Bhavan Srinagar, highlighted the plight of political detainees shifted to jails outside the State and sought his intervention in seeking their immediate release. (KNS)