Speculations that something bad has happened to Jammu Kashmir Democratic Freedom Party (JKDF) chairman Shabir Ahmad Shah were doing the rounds after the Kashmiri separatist leaders were shifted to Tihar prison as the security agencies initiated crackdown against the Pak sympathisers and separatist leaders. The rumour snowballed, leading many to believe that Shah has been assaulted in the jail.
According to the sources, Hurriyat leader Altaf Shah was injured when a loose roof-tile in the washroom fell on his head causing an injury to him. As the news of Shah being injured broke out, rumours of Shabir Shah being assaulted spread like a wildfire, creating panic among the imprisoned Kashmiris in Tihar jail. The rumour subsequently reached Kashmir leaving the Valley in the state of worried.
Disconcerted by the rumours, Shabir Shah’s wife, Dr Bilquees Shah went to Tihar Jail to see her husband but wasn’t allowed to meet him. She alleged that the officials didn’t allow her to meet him since it was a Saturday, a holiday in the jail. She contacted her lawyer to determine her husband’s wellbeing who denied anything untoward to have happened to him but couldn’t provide confirmation.
However, the DIG Tihar prison has rubbished the rumours of assault on Shah. Urging people to be cautious against ‘fake news’, he has stated that Shah is absolutely ‘fit and fine’, as well as the other J&K and Pakistani prisoners.
DIG Tihar Prison Shailendra Parihar on reports of mishap with inmate Shabir Shah(in file pic), separatist arrested in money laundering case: He is absolutely “fit & fine”. Other inmates from J&K & Pakistan also fine. Prison authorities appeals all to be cautious against fake news pic.twitter.com/rTE4QebwvJ
— ANI (@ANI) February 24, 2019
Altaf Shah’s daughter Ruwa Shah took to Twitter to scotch the rumours about the assault on Shabir Shah.
My father, Altaf Shah was injured yesterday in Tihar jail after a tile fell off the washroom wall and hit his head. This snowballed into a rumour about Shabir Shah because of the same surnames.
Shabir Sb is fine. Altaf Sb has got a minor injury. #Kashmir— Ruwa Shah (@ruwashah15) February 24, 2019
She stated that her father Altaf Shah was injured in an accident but because of the similar surnames, the rumours of Shabir Shah picked up steam.
