Srinagar: Condemning the fresh arrest spree across the valley, the International Forum for Justice and Human Rights – JK (IFJHR-JK) Tuesday said the administration cannot justify its actions in the name of “security concern” due to which uncertainty has been created.
“Where on earth does police arrest youth for conducting smooth elections, this is totally undemocratic and unacceptable to any democratic nation,” chairman IFJHR-JK, Muhammad Ahsaan Untoo said.
He demanded unconditional release of all those arrested persons accused as stone pelters and trouble mongers by the government. “Around 700 persons have been so far arrested in various districts of Kashmir and are ‘wrongly’ labeled as threat to free and fair conduct of elections,” he said.
Lashing out at police, Untoo said that arresting 700 youth tantamount to arresting 700 voters. “How come in a democratic setup authorities allow the “police-dictatorship”. This is a sheer violation of basic human rights,” Untoo said.
The HR forum Chairman also castigated authorities for detaining vehicles in the name of security concern. “These methods are, in no way, justified to ensure the peaceful atmosphere in the valley. Instead such actions will contribute to the chaos and uncertainty in the valley,” he vowed.
“The International Forum for Justice and Human Rights will not allow any kind of human rights violation from any sector of the administration and we will continue to raise our voice against such injustices taking place in the name of whatever conditions. We also urge administration to immediately release the youth in the better interest of peace in the valley,” Ahsaan Untoo added. (GNS)