16 / NOV/12 KU students launch signature campaign to seek Rafiq’s release

Srinagar, Nov 15: Students of University of Kashmir have launched a signature campaign to seek release of Muhammad Rafiq Shah, a 3rd semester student of Shah-i- Hamdan Institute of Islamic Studies University of Kashmir, who was arrested in November 2005 in connection with the pre-Diwali serial blasts in New Delhi. “We have started this signature campaign, to get an innocent student (Muhammad Rafiq) who has been cleared of all charges out of the jail. We have received an overwhelming response from the students. We have got more than 1000 signatures and we are expecting more,” said Majid, one of the organizers of the campaign. Majid added that a banner campaign would also be organized by the students of the varsity after Friday prayers to demand release of the detained youth. “Despite being cleared of all the charges, why is Rafiq still in jail? We demand the release of this innocent student who has been framed,” said Muhammad Abid a student of MSW Department KU. “He has been detained from last seven years for the crime which he never committed. All evidences proved his innocence and he is still languishing behind bars. We demand his immediate release,” said Muhammad Irfan, a Botany student of the varsity.