Srinagar, Nov 03 (KNS): The Jammu and Kashmir High Court Bar Association on Wednesday expressed serious concern over random arrests and detentions, especially the students of the Kashmir Valley and termed such actions as intellectual genocide in the Valley.
In a statement, issued to Kashmir News Service (KNS), Bar association spokesperson, Adv G.N. Shaheen said that a meeting of the J&K high court bar association, which was presided over by its chairman, N.A. Ronga, was conducted today at the Bar office, Srinagar.
He, as per the statement said that a serious concern was expressed on random arrests and detentions especially of the students in Kashmir valley in the meeting.
“The spate of random arrests and detentions is ruining the educational and professional career of the students. In the meeting such kind of actions were deemed as intellectual genocide in the Kashmir Valley. The Bar Association has received hundreds of detention orders passed by concerned district magistrates under PSAs passed on flimsy and non-existent grounds,” reads the statement.
It reads that the perusal of the grounds of detentions does not disclose any ground which would warrant action under the preventive laws and it was observed that illegal arrests and detentions and the process of release is made as a punishment in itself before trial.
“The random abuse of the ULPA is a phenomenon which is used to prolong the illegal arrests of the educated youth and put a stigma on their careers so as to deprive these students from ensuing professional careers of their choice.”
The Bar association, as per the statement, appealed to the conscious of the Government including the LG of J&K to take steps for unconditional release of the youth arrested and detained and are languishing in Jails.
“The lodgment of the arrested and detained persons outside the valley is itself an illegal exercise and abuse of process of law used as a measure of punishment and financial drainage not only to the detenus but also to their families. It is a serious concern that dozens of families don’t even know the whereabouts of their dear ones who have been detained in undisclosed jails.”
It reads that in the meeting it was observed that the people of J&K are fundamentally tolerant and followers of communal harmony and believers of universal brotherhood, but this atmosphere is constantly disturbed and vitiated by vested interests, who infuse communal hatred by issuing provocative and blasphemous expressions about the Muslims.
“In the meeting the remarks made by Ex-MLC, Vikram Randhawa have been condemned in strong words as obnoxious. It is the duty of the constitutional authorities to take serious action against this rabid mentality whose aim is only to disturb the sentiments of Muslims and thereby disturbing the communal harmony which is a criminal act for which he deserves to be booked.
It also reads that in the meeting timely role of Jammu Lawyers in rejecting the communal politics by seeking appropriate action against Vikram Randhawa was lauded and appreciated and the sentiments of Jammu lawyers are equally shared by the Bar Association of JK.
“It is high time for the lawyers across J&K to stand by the communal harmony and brotherhood and not allow politicians and disgruntled elements to communalize the situation for their political interests,” it reads. (KNS)
