Srinagar, Shabbir Ahmad Shah, a senior leader of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) and Chairman of the Jammu and Kashmir Democratic Freedom Party, has expressed disapproval over the alleged denial of rights to Kashmiri political prisoners to attend their relatives’ funerals. This statement comes in the context of the recent death of the father-in-law of Masarrat Aalam Butt, Chairman of the APHC, who reportedly was not allowed to attend the funeral.

According to Kashmir Media Service, Shah, who is currently detained in New Delhi’s Tihar jail, released a statement highlighting the restriction of rights for Kashmiri detainees. He noted that while the law typically permits prisoners to visit ill relatives and attend their funerals, Kashmiri political detainees are being deprived of this right by the Indian government. Shah called on international human rights organizations to address what he describes as the Indian government’s harsh treatment of Kashmiri political prisoners.

In his statement, Shah offered his condolences to the family of Masarrat Aalam Butt and prayed for the forgiveness of the deceased. The statement also mentioned the passing of the father of Nazir Karnai, a leader of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference-AJK, underscoring the ongoing difficulties faced by Kashmiri families in such circumstances.