Geelani for protests on Friday over J

Srinagar, June 26 (UNI) Breakaway Hurriyat Conference chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani today expressed serious concern over the ''pathetic condition'' of detainees from Jammu and Kashmir lodged in various jails of the country, and called for massive but peaceful protests across the state on Friday to highlight their plight.

In a statement here, he alleged that the detainees were subjected to ''severe atrocities and inhuman treatment'' in the prisons during the past more than a decade and a half.

Mr Geelani said the reports about such atrocities in different jails of the country were being continuously received.

''The condition in Delhi's Tihar jail, Jammu sub-jail, Kot Bhalwal, Kathua and Udhampur prisons is pathetic and piteous. The prisoners are being treated worse than animals,'' he alleged.

The firebrand leader said the attitude of the Indian authorities in this regard was condemnable and deplorable. The Indian media and the intelligentsia too have maintained a ''criminal'' silence over the matter, he claimed.

Mr Geelani also held mainstream political parties of Jammu and Kashmir equally responsible for the ''miserable'' condition of the detainees from the state in various jails of the country.

''These parties indulge in vote bank politics only. The condition of the detainees could have improved if these parties so desired.

The National Conference, the PDP and the Congress have never uttered a word in this regard,'' he added.

Describing the state Human Rights Commission as a ''lion without teeth'', the hard-liner said the organisation has been set up only as a ''showpiece'' and was functioning without any power.

Demanding immediate release of detainees from Jammu and Kashmir, he urged the Indian leadership not to play politics over the issue.

''It is a human issue and should be addressed accordingly.'' Mr Geelani said his Hurriyat Conference has charted out both short-term and long-term strategies to highlight the plight of the detainees in various jails of the country.

''The agitation on June 29 is part of that strategy. The protests will seek to draw the attention of international community toward the inhuman treatment being meted out with the detainees from Jammu and Kashmir,'' he added.

Meanwhile, Hurriyat spokesman Ayaz Akbar clarified that there would be no strike on Friday.

However, he urged the people to hold peaceful protests across the state to register their anger over the issue.

UNI