Engineer Rashid attacked in Tihar, his party claims Kashmiri inmates being harassed

Speedy Summary

• Incident: Jailed Baramulla MP Engineer Rashid was allegedly attacked in Tihar Jail when inmates pushed him and threw a gate at him. His party, Awami Ittehad Party (AIP), claims it was an intentional attempt to harm him.
• Injury Status: Prison sources confirmed he sustained minor injuries after an altercation with transgender inmates about a week ago.
• Context: Rashid is currently lodged in jail no. 3 of Tihar, which houses three transgender inmates. Teh exact reason for the conflict is under investigation.
• prison Denial: Authorities dismissed allegations of a murder conspiracy as baseless.
• Allegation by AIP: AIP alleges Kashmiri detainees are systematically targeted in Tihar and intentionally housed alongside transgender inmates with gang affiliations. They have also reported harassment during religious practices like prayers.
• Party Demand: AIP has called for an autonomous probe and guarantees for the safety of Rashid and other Kashmiri prisoners.

!Engineer Rashid (File photo)

Indian Opinion Analysis

The alleged attack on Engineer Rashid inside Tihar Jail raises critical concerns about prisoner safety, notably around potential vulnerabilities faced by specific demographic groups such as Kashmiri detainees. While prison authorities have dismissed claims of deeper conspiracies, the allegations highlight issues that may necessitate stricter oversight regarding inmate housing arrangements and internal incidents within prisons.

Independent investigations-if implemented-could help ascertain accountability while ensuring clarity in addressing grievances raised by detainees or their representatives. This situation also sheds light on broader challenges related to safeguarding religious freedoms and personal dignity among incarcerated populations across India’s correctional facilities.

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