Srinagar
Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and PDP President Mehbooba Mufti led a peaceful protest on Monday in Srinagar, demanding the return of Kashmiri prisoners lodged in jails outside the Union Territory. The protest drew attention to what the party described as systemic injustices faced by detainees and the urgent need for prison and judicial reforms.
Raising slogans of “Bail, not Jail”, Mehbooba accused the government of denying constitutional rights to prisoners, many of whom have spent years in detention without fair or timely trials. PDP leaders stressed that relocating detainees far from home restricts access to legal defence and family, adversely affecting their right to a fair trial and emotional well-being.
The party demanded timely trials, mandatory production of accused individuals at every court hearing, and transparency in the grant of remission, parole, and furlough, calling these legal rights rather than privileges. They also advocated recognition of medical bail as a humanitarian necessity and full implementation of jail manuals to protect the dignity and rights of all prisoners.
Mehbooba emphasized that prolonged pre-trial detention undermines liberty and that denial of bail in delayed or weak cases causes unnecessary suffering. She warned that ignoring these rights deepens alienation and mistrust among the people of the region.
The protest was attended by PDP workers and supporters, and party leaders vowed to continue their campaign until the government addresses the plight of Kashmiri prisoners and facilitates their return to local jails.
