Nayeem Khan completes 4-year continuous detention in Tihar Jail

JKNF Seeks early release of incarcerated party chairman, other prisoners

Islamabad: Deputy Chairman Jammu Kashmir National (JKNF) Front Mr. Altaf Hussain Wani has urged the world human rights organizations to take notice of the illegal detention of the incarcerated party Chairman Nayeem Ahmed Khan who has completed four-year continued detention in Tihar Jail.

In a statement issued here on Saturday, the National Front leader while highlighting the plight of Kashmiri prisoners said that Nayeem Ahmed Khan was being punished for his unprecedented role in the ongoing freedom struggle. Terming his continued detention as act of sheer vengeance Mr. Wani said that Khan along with a dozen of top rank Kashmiri leaders have been held in preventive detention Since 5th August 2019, when India stripped Kashmir of its semi-autonomous status.

Urging international human rights groups to take notice of the matter, he said, “Four years have passed but Indian authorities have not been able to provide a single evidence against the Front Chairman”. “Detention of political activists without evidence of crime constitutes a serious violation of human rights and international law”, Wani said adding that India was in the habit of using detentions as a weapon to suppress dissent in Kashmir.  He said that thousands of Kashmiris, including politicians, rights activists, and youth have been held in preventive detention without any recognizable offense.

Highlighting Khan’s indomitable role and peerless contribution in the ongoing freedom struggle the National Front leader said that Nayeem Ahmed Khan is reckoned among high profile campaigners of Kashmiris’ right to self-determination who have been persistently advocating for a just and peaceful settlement of Kashmir dispute.

Terming Khan as a born revolutionary he said, the Front chairman has always been at the forefront of Kashmir’s struggle for freedom. He has played vital role in strengthening the APHC and mobilizing youth in Kashmir.

“Ironically, he had to spent major portion of his life in the Indian jails, detention and interrogation centers just for raising his voice for voiceless Kashmiris, which is unfortunately deemed as the biggest crime in the occupied Kashmir”, Wani said.

“He is being persecuted for his expression of conscientiously held political beliefs and for raising the banner of revolt against injustices and indiscrimination meted out to the people of Jammu and Kashmir at the hands of Indian authorities”, he said adding that during his years’ long political struggle Khan along with his entire family has endured trials and tribulations, imprisonments and detentions.

“This is the reason that Khan is being victimized and made to suffer in jails despite suffering from acute ailments far away from his homeland, where he could neither be easily accessed by his family members nor his party workers”, he maintained.

“The continuous detention has taken a heavy toll on his physical and mental health. He is being denied of basic rights including proper food and right to receive proper medical care, which constitutes a grave violation of international law and other human rights treaties”, Wani said.

Nayeem Ahmed Khan: Profile at a glance

Nayeem Ahmed Khan, 59, is the chairman of Jammu and Kashmir National Front. He was arrested by Indian National Investigation Agency (NIA) under a fictitious and fabricated case on 24 July, 2017.

Born in Pathanpora, Pattan District Baramulla some 27 km from Srinagar Khan received his early schooling from his native village and then moved to Srinagar for Civil Engineering. Nayeem Khan is a born revolutionary, he played a pivotal role in organizing youth since his college days. He was first arrested in 1982, Jailed, tortured due to his strong commitment for the resolution of issue. He is reckoned amongst founders of Islamic Student’s League and spearheaded the strong youth movement in 1980’s and played a key role in the formation of Muslim United Front (MUF). He also led Jammu Kashmir People’s League as its chairman in 90’s. He was closely associated with DFP chairman Shabir Ahmed Shah, Shahed S Hameed, Shaheed Sheikh Abdul Aziz (who was martyred by Indian Forces in 2008 mass uprising). After his release from jail in 1993 Nayeem Khan played a vital role in organizing and strengthening political platform of APHC and served as provincial president of the forum.

Family Contribution

Due to his unflinching commitment to cause, his whole family suffered at the hands of Indian Authorities. In 1947, when Indian forces landed in Kashmir Nayeem Khan’s family had to face the wrath – all their houses, belonging were torched. His father late Ghulam Mohammad Khan was a close associate of Late Mohammad Maqbool Bhat and founder member of Muslim Revolutionary Front (MRF), GM Khan was tortured and jailed in early 70’s. Nayeem Khan’s younger brother Gull Mohammad Khan was martyred in 1997 and his maternal uncle Tariq Ahmad Lone was subjected to enforced disappearance in early 90’s. Subsequently, his uncle and aunt were killed in cold blood. His mother Muneera Begum was also arrested in 1991.