Omar’s subjudice remark on youth detentions unfortunate, says Mehbooba Mufti

Srinagar, Nov 5 — Peoples Democratic Party president Mehbooba Mufti today expressed deep concern over the continued detention of Kashmiri youth in jails outside Jammu and Kashmir, describing it as a humanitarian issue that demands urgent attention.

Addressing a press conference at the party headquarters in Srinagar, Mehbooba said that since 2019, more than 3,000 to 5,000 young people have been arrested and lodged in prisons across different states of the country. She said most of them are undertrials, and their families have been struggling financially and emotionally to stay in touch with them.

“Many families had sold their land and properties just to fight their legal cases. These youth are not convicts; they are undertrials. Their parents haven’t been able to meet them for years,” she said.
The former Chief Minister added that after the formation of the present government, she had expected some steps would be taken to address the issue. “I had written to the Home Minister, the DGP, and other authorities seeking details of these detainees. Our only demand was that they be shifted to jails within Jammu and Kashmir so that their families can visit them,” Mehbooba said.
She, however, expressed disappointment over Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s recent remarks, in which he stated that the issue cannot be discussed as it is subjudice following her petition. “It is unfortunate that Omar Sahib is calling the matter subjudice. This is not about politics; it’s about humanity. Families are in distress, and the government must take steps to bring their sons closer to home,” Mehbooba asserted.
Reiterating that her demand is purely humanitarian, she appealed to the administration to show compassion and facilitate the transfer of detainees to local prisons, saying that keeping them far from their families serves no justice or purpose.