Srinagar, June 27 (KNS): Family of incarcerated ailing Hurriyat leader Shabir Shah on Saturday appealed Central and UT governmets to release him in wake of growing number of Covid-19 caseloads in Tihar and said if any untoward happens with Shah, it will be treated as "cold-blooded" murder.
A statement issued by family to Kashmir News Service (KNS) said, they are very much perturbed on hearing the surge of COVID-19 caselods in Tihar Jail.
"Recieved a call from my husband Shabir Shah and came to know that he is very sick there. Being Co Morbid having Diabetes, Hypertension, IHD Arthritis, his immune system has gone very weak as he has been in jail continuously since last three and half years and is not getting proper diet also", Dr Bilquis in a statement said.
She, as per statement, said due to Covid-19 lock down, the family have not been able to see him since February 2020.
Dr Bilquis added, the whole world has been caught in the grip of pandemic when the entire health care setup is literally paralysed in providing required health care. She further added when whole world is trying its level best to get health centres well equipped vis-a-vis Covid-19 care, how come Tihar jail health centre will be well equipped?
While expressing grave concern over the deteriorating health circumstances of her husband, Dr Bilquis stated "The most worrying thing is that as per the sources many prisoners, jail staff members and even one jail Superintendent have tested positive for COVID-19. Staff and Kitchen services are same for Covid and non-Covid patients. Shabir Sb is sick but no body attends him due to Covid-19 scare".
She said due to Covid-19 pandemic, prisoners are being released on payroll or else by maximum countries across the world, even Tihar jail has released hard core notorious criminals on payroll in two shifts of 3000 each. Why can't the Kashmiri prisoners, who are just under trials can't be released.
She appealed authorities that if not released, just shift Shabir Shah and others to their own state if not to Kashmir, let it be Jammu on payroll only till this Pandemic is controlled if not over. (KNS)