New Delhi: Three Uyghur Muslims who fled persecution in China remain in an Indian jail twelve years after completing their sentence. Their case highlights a complex mix of human rights concerns, border security issues and geopolitical tension. The men, identified as Adil, Abdul Khali and Salamu, left Kashgar in 2013 after relatives were detained in China’s crackdown on Uyghurs. They travelled for nearly two weeks through harsh Himalayan terrain and reached Ladakh without knowing they had crossed into India.
The Indian Army detained them in June 2013 in Sultan Chusku, a remote desert region in Ladakh. After two months of interrogation they were handed to the local police. They spoke no Indian language and had no legal guidance that understood their account. They learned basic Hindi only after a year in prison. A court sentenced them to eighteen months for illegal entry. They served the full term.
Their detention continued under the Public Safety Act. The law allows authorities to keep a person for six months and renew the order for up to two years. Officials repeatedly extended their detention. They remain in jail with no progress on repatriation and no clarity on their status. Their families in Kashgar have waited for more than a decade.
Lawyer Muhammad Shafi Lassu, who met them during a routine delegation visit, continues to seek their release on a pro bono basis. He argues they entered India seeking refuge from persecution and have no charges pending. The men remain caught between two governments. Their case raises questions about the treatment of refugees, the lack of communication support for non native speakers and the need for transparent release procedures.
