NEW DELHI: Detained Kashmiri leader Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah has rejected the Indian offer of freedom of movement within the limits of Delhi, usually reliable sources said here last night [Dec 9].

The sources said the Sheikh had written to the Deputy Commissioner of Delhi stating that instead of taking half-measures the Indian Government should remove all restrictions imposed on him since May 1965.

He added that by giving him his full freedom, India would be undoing the “grave injustice” done to him by being kept in detention for 14 years.

Indian Home Minister Y.B. Chavan announced in Parliament on Friday that Sheikh Abdullah would be allowed to move “freely” within the limits of Delhi “provided he did not address public meetings or communicate with the Press or foreigners”. — Agency

[Our Colombo correspondent adds,] prominent Indians who had demanded unconditional release of Sheikh Abdullah are not satisfied with the Indian Government’s decision. These Indians are clamouring for full release and interpret the Government’s latest decision as a further period of incarceration.

They stated that by ordering the Sheikh not to move out of Delhi, not to make Press statements or address public meetings, not to communicate with foreigners, the Indian Government was treating the Sheikh worse than a criminal who is bound over after conviction. Even in the case of criminals such restrictions are imposed after an impartial trial. In the Sheikh’s case Mr Ghavan assumed the role of a trial judge and imposed a sentence without hearing the defence case.

Member of Parliament Bhupesh Gupta expressed indignation over the manner in which the Sheikh is being treated. Mr Gupta accused the Indian Government of political vendetta against the Sheikh. He said the Indian Government has incarcerated him for 14 years without specific charges although even a murderer found guilty serves only 14 years in gaol. Not satisfied with the “punishment” the Sheikh has already suffered, the Indian Government is imposing further gaol sentence by restricting his freedom, he said.

Published in Dawn, December 11th, 2017