Geelani concerned at ‘ kidnapping’ of detainee Srinagar, Nov 20: The chairman Hurriyat Conference ( G), Syed Ali Shah Geelani, has expressed deep concern over, what he said, the mysterious kidnapping of incarcerated youth Muhammad Lateef Dar of Pazan, Pulwama, by some unknown agency from Bone & joint Hospital, Barzulla , where he was taken for medical check up from Srinagar Central Jail. “ The detainee Latif, who is suffering from acute lumber pain, was arrested some 18 months ago. On November 19, Tuesday, he was taken to Bone & Joint Hospital in police custody. Some unidentified forces appeared there and took away Lateef to some unknown place. His family members are worried about his welfare and running from pillar to post to know his whereabouts,” Geealni said in a statement today, terming it the worst example of ‘ state terrorism’. “ The jail administration is custodian of all detainees and providing protection to them is a part of their duty. But it is unfortunate that they have failed to do it in case of Latif,” Geelani said in a statement today, demanding that whereabouts of this detainee ( Lateef) should be revealed forthwith. He warned that the authorities and jail administration would have to face dire consequences in case any untoward happened to Muhammad Latif Dar. “ This is an extremely serious matter and it has proved that prisoners lodged in jails are not safe. Earlier, in two similar cases, two jail inmates were killed mysteriously,” Geelani said, appealing to the International Red Cross Committee for intervention to look into the matter. “ Meanwhile, the detainees in Srinagar Central Jail have strongly protested against the mysterious incident and decided not to appear in courts for hearing and not to meet the visiting family members until whereabouts of Lateef are made public. They held jail officials responsible for the incident, saying until Lateef is brought back to the Central Jail, they will not cooperate with jail administration,” said a spokesman of the Hurriyat . Meanwhile, Geelani is scheduled to address a press conference on November 21, at 12 noon at Hurriyat headquarters, Hyderpora, here.
Posted on: Thu, 21 Nov 2013 04:01:20 +0000