HYDERABAD: Alleging that political prisoners languishing in various jails in the State were being forced to live in pathetic conditions some dying due to improper medical assistance and others committing suicides the Committee for the Release of Political Prisoners (CRPP) today demanded the unconditional release of about 300 such prisoners.
Addressing a press conference here, CRPP members, led by its secretary Lateef Mohammed Khan, in the presence of noted human rights activist Professor K Haragopal, said the political prisoners had today gone on a one-day strike in protest against the “ill-treatment’’.
“Political prisoners comprising Naxalites and those who were branded as ISI agents, have been languishing in jails for several years. Even those who have attained 60 years of age are being forced to undergo imprisonment without any enquiry or trial,’’ Lateef Mohammed Khan alleged. The CRPP demanded that the political prisoners be given the right to live with human dignity and all their demands be fulfilled.
“They are denied proper food and meetings with members of their families. Just because they have ideological differences with the Government, it does not mean that they should be treated so inhumanly,’’ Lateef Mohammed Khan said. The CRPP even wanted all political parties to come clear on the issue of political prisoners, human rights and whether the parties had anything for them on their manifestos.
Prof Haragopal said jail authorities had the responsibility to ensure that those who underwent imprisonment came out as better citizens.
“The jail authorities should treat political prisoners on humanitarian grounds. They are supposed to provide medical treatment to them and ensure proper food and other facilities while they are in jail,’’ he said.