Peoples Democratic Party president Mehbooba Mufti Wednesday alleged that there is ‘jungle raj’ prevailing in Kashmir as a result of which people are “living in fear”.
Mehbooba, who is contesting from Anantnag Lok Sabhaconstituency, was speaking to media-persons after addressing an electionmeeting in remote Brimarnarasar-Chatergul village of Shangus.
“It is total lawlessness in Kashmir and people are living infear. Even a magistrate along with other employees on poll duty was thrashed onthe national highway by the army,” she said.
“Our roads are being closed. The jail inmates are beingbeaten up. Bodies of those killed in encounters are being mutilated and charredbeyond recognition by spraying some chemical,” she alleged.
“It is our human and religious right that the bodies of ourchildren should be handed over to us so that the families could have a glimpseof their loved ones, are given proper bath and then burial. However, these daysthere is interference in our religious rights also,” she said.
Mehbooba claimed that the bodies of militants were notmutilated in her tenure as CM.
“No, it did not happen during my tenure. In fact, I waspressurised to not hand over the bodies of local militants to their familiesfor last rites. I also stood firm when I was asked to go for a crackdownagainst Jamat-i-Islami,” she said.
The repression against Kashmiris is forcing them to regrettheir decision of acceding with India, the PDP president said.
“Maharaja Hari Singh and Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah hadacceded with India that belonged to people from every religion—Hindus, Muslims,Sikhs, Christians. However, these days Kashmiris are being so much suppressedand humiliated that it sends shivers down their spine. The repression they aresubjected to makes them regret the decision of joining hands with India,” shesaid.
Mehbooba also condemned the security forces who had stoppedan ambulance ferrying a cancer patient on the Srinagar-Jammu highway near LowerMunda in Anantnag during the movement of CRPF convoy last Wednesday.
The cancer patient who was being taken to Doda after beingdischarged from SKIMS Srinagar died on way to his home.
She appealed to the people to vote for her so that “thespecial status of J&K is protected”.
Launching a scathing attack on NC, she said the party onlymade fortunes during their 40 years of rule.
“They have occupied palatial Banglows and land in Gupkar andhave amassed properties outside state and abroad,” she alleged.
She asked people to check the details of her and Abdullahs’properties declared in election papers.
Meanwhile, prominent TV journalist Barkha Dutt traveled withPDP leaders and later shared the stage with Mehbooba.
She was seen sitting beside her, triggering criticism fromNational Conference.
“When a journalist chooses to share the stage, journalismgets a jolt,” tweeted NC spokesperson Imran Nabi Dar while sharing the pictureof Barkha sharing the stage with Mehbooba.
PDP leader Peer Mansoor welcomed Barkha and later introducedher to the gathering as “the most honest and fearless journalist who comes toKashmir frequently to report”.