J&K: Kin of dead Rohingya woman demands release of jailed refugees

Around 220 Rohingya refugees were shifted to Hira Nagar Jail in Kathua District a few months ago on charges of illegally staying in Jammu and Kashmir. However, a 64-year-old woman named Noor Issa died yesterday, causing a wave of concern among the Rohingya refugees.

Jammu:Around 220 Rohingya refugees were arrested and moved to Hira Nagar Jail in Kathua District a few months ago on charges of illegally staying in Jammu and Kashmir. However, a 64-year-old woman named Noor Issa died yesterday, causing a wave of concern among the Rohingya refugees.

Close relatives of the deceased woman, while speaking to ETV Bharat said that the way the woman died in Hira Nagar Jail has created a sense of insecurity and fear among us. He has appealed to the administration to hand over the body to the family so that her last rites could be performed with religious devotion and respect.

"We don't know how Noor Issa died while most of the Rohingya refugees in Hira Nagar Jail are elderly and we don't want them to die the same way," said Muhammad Tawfeel, a close relative of the deceased. He said that our innocent elders should not die in jail. He further said that just as they were persecuted in Myanmar and they are being pushed into trouble in India as well. He has demanded the release of arrested 220 refugees who have been kept in Hira Nagar Jail.