Srinagar, Nov 10 (KNS): Kashmir's chief cleric Mirwaiz Umar Farooq on Tuesday urged authorities to review the practice of booking young people under stringent anti-terror laws, citing the case of two youths from Baramulla who spent six years in jail before being acquitted by a court.
In a statement, Mirwaiz said the acquittal of the two youths, following the court's finding that the evidence against them was unreliable, highlighted the serious human cost of prolonged detention.
"The years lost by the two young men cannot be returned," he said.
He said the case raised wider concerns over the arrest and continued detention of Kashmiri youth under stringent anti-terror legislation.
Mirwaiz questioned the circumstances in which young people are booked under such laws and remain behind bars for extended periods, despite the prosecution failing to establish the charges against them.
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In a post on X, he urged the authorities to reconsider their approach and "relook and do justice to the thousands of youth under prolonged detention".
He said the case of the two acquitted youths should prompt a broader review of the use of anti-terror laws and the continued detention of young people.
The two Baramulla youths were recently acquitted after spending six years in custody in a case registered under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and the Arms Act. The court found significant inconsistencies in the prosecution's evidence, including discrepancies surrounding the alleged recovery of arms and ammunition. The Wire +1
The case has brought renewed attention to questions surrounding prolonged detention under stringent anti-terror legislation in Jammu and Kashmir. (KNS)
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