J&K: Family, Politicians Urge Release of PDP's Waheed Para as his Health Worsens in Jail

Srinagar: The family of incarcerated leader Waheed ur Rahman Para has urged Jammu and Kashmir administration to release him after Waheed developed medical complications in jail earlier last week. Many regional political leaders have since come in their support pressing authorities to release him.

“My Brother has suffered so much and so long. I sincerely hope and pray that he is released soon. His incarceration is taking a damaging toll on his health. He needs immediate medical attention,” Waheed’s brother Naveed Para said.

Waheed (35), was arrested by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on November 25, 2021, in a militancy related case. The youth leader from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) was accused of aiding militants in the region in connection with a case involving disgraced J&K Police officer Davinder Singh.

A close relative of Waheed told NewsClick that he had fallen “unconscious” at Srinagar central jail, where he is lodged currently, after waking up on Friday. “He remained in that state for 3-4 hours following which he was shifted to police hospital. They carried out his medical check-up but his health has deteriorated significantly,” the relative said wishing anonymity.

The relative said that they are now worried about his condition and have demanded the authorities to allow them to carry a detailed medical examination of Waheed, who has been shifted back to the jail premises. His family says they are not able to follow his health status thoroughly due to the Covid-19 protocol set up around inmates.

A special NIA Court, however, on Wednesday directed the Superintendent of Central Jail Srinagar to get Waheed medically examined by a specialised doctor.

The court of special judge Srinagar Manjeet Singh Manhas heard Waheed’s application and sought further medical aid to him for “acute nasal infection and other ENT problems”; he has been suffering for more than three years.

PDP’s Shamim Ganai termed it “unfortunate” that Waheed’s health has been so badly affected in the jail and despite that continues to remain behind bars.

“His family is in extreme distress as he has not been allowed to get a proper check-up regarding his health. On the basis of humanitarian grounds, authorities should consider his release keeping in view his deteriorating health conditions,” he said.

Waheed was seen as a rising star in Jammu and Kashmir’s mainstream politics in the last decade and garnered significant support for PDP in South Kashmir area of Pulwama, turning it into a bastion. He was close to Mehbooba Mufti and her late father Mufti Sayeed, the party founder. At times, Waheed was also projected as a ‘youth icon’ against those who supported ‘separatism’ in the region. His arrest came as a shock to many, especially his party colleagues, who believe that he has been jailed for being a critic of the Bhartiya Janata Party’s (BJP) policies in Kashmir.

“Waheed Para jailed since November 2020 on baseless charges is in need of urgent medical care & assistance. Request & urge @HMOIndia to facilitate this at the earliest,” Mehbooba Mufti tweeted.

Calls for his release also came from political leaders outside of Waheed’s party, including from members of Sajad Lone-led People’s Conference and the Communist Party of India (Marxist).

“Administration must release Waheed Para, whose health is deteriorating. So, as he can get access to medical care. Of note, charges against him have not been proved by investigative agencies in the court of law,” senior leader MY Tarigami said in a statement.

“I hope there is nothing serious. And hope he is medically examined. Waheed and me were jail mates together for six months. He is an amazing person. Hope he is a free man soon. My best wishes. And lots of love,” Lone tweeted recalling the time he served with Waheed following their arrest ahead of the abrogation of Article 370 on August 5, 2019.