Srinagar, Sep 04: Seeking immediate release of Sarjan Barkati, his family on Tuesday threatened to launch an agitation in south Kashmir if government fails to release him by September 17
Staging protest at Press Enclave here, the family, including his wife Shabroza Akhtar and children Sugra Barkati and Azan Barkati, raised slogans for his release.
Barkati, popularly known as the pied piper of south Kashmir, was arrested on October 1, 2016, after he surfaced in the rallies during the uprising that erupted after the killing of Hizb commander, Burhan Wani.
Sugra told the media persons that they have been continuously defending the charges leveled against her father.
“The government has been leveling charges after charges. I want to tell the government that we tolerated a lot, now we will not tolerate. If not released by September 17, we would start hunger strike and call for a shutdown in south Kashmir,” she said.
Sugra said she and her brother wanted to study.“How can our mother manage our studies without our father? She has been moving from pillar to post for justice. She most of the times remains busy with the legal work,” she said.
Shabroza Akhter said her husband was presently languishing in Mattan central Jail.“He is suffering from heart ailment. I am single-handedly managing the affairs at home. My children are missing their father a lot. Who will look after them in my absence?” she said.
“Who will earn for us .He was the sole bread earner. Due to financial problems, our children are not able to study.”
A protester, Irfan Qadri said that Barkati was “innocent”.
“Police has been disobeying the court orders. He has been granted bail by the court,” he said.