Srinagar, May 5: While expressing grief over the demise of Mohamad Ashraf Sehrai, Chairman Tehreek-e-Hurriyat, who passed away at a Jammu hospital Wednesday, CPI (M) leader Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami urged the administration to shift his body to Kashmir at the earliest so that his family could perform his last rites.

In a condolence message he extended solidarity with the bereaved family and urged the administration to facilitate them in performing his last rites without any difficulties. Sehrai, according to media reports, was admitted at the Government Medical College (GMC) Jammu after his health deteriorated earlier this week at Kot Balwal Jail where he was lodged since July 2020.

In view of the prevailing Covid crisis, it would be appropriate if the cases of prisoners are reviewed and those who are not involved in heinous crimes are released. There is Supreme Court direction that the Under-trial Review Committee should specifically look into aspects pertaining to effective implementation of Section 436 CrPC and Section 436-A CrPC so that under-trial prisoners are released at the earliest.

There is also an immediate need to shift Kashmiri prisoners lodged in various jails outside back to the Valley in view of the massive spike in Covid deaths and cases across the country. Family members of these prisoners are seriously concerned about the health and lives of their loved ones.

The authorities must also ensure that the prisoners lodged in various jails are allowed to speak to their family through phone and video calls as physical meetings are difficult amid Covid-19 pandemic.(KNS)