JKAP welcomes moves, demands lifting of PSA on her
Iltija Mufti says her mother will speak as soon as restrictions are lifted
Precious Kashmir News
Srinagar, Apr 7: Demanding former chief minister and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti to be set free, National Conference (NC) vice president Omar Abdullah said merely shifting her home while keeping her under detention was a cop out.
Mehbooba was on Tuesday shifted from a Srinagar sub-jail to her official residence, where she was put under house arrest.
“@MehboobaMufti must be set free. Shifting her home while continuing to keep her detained is a cop out,” Omar , who is a former chief minister, wrote on micro-blogging site twitter.
Welcoming the shifting of Mehbooba from a makeshift jail to her residence, Jammu Kashmir Apni Party (JKAP) led by Altaf Bukhari also demanded that the Public Safety Act (PSA) of the PDP president be revoked and she be released.
The JKAP also demanded immediate release of all political leaders and activists who are still under preventive detention post August 5, 2019 in and outside J&K jails.
In a statement here, a JKAP leader Rafi Ahmed Mir, urged the Government of India to take a purpose oriented call on these unwarranted detentions and free all political detainees including Ms Mufti who has now been confined to her home.
“While it is heartening that shifting of Ms Mufti would provide some solace to her family, the situation demands that all political leaders and activists who continue to be under detention on mere suspicion should be freed in order to make the situation more conducive,” he said.
“JKAP demands immediate release of all political detainees including Ali Mohammad Sagar, Naeem Akhter, Sartaj Madni, Peerzada Mansoor, Shah Faesal, Hilal Rather, Mian Qayoom, Yain Khan and others without any further delay,” he demanded.
He also sought immediate shifting of political activists and workers, who are languishing in jails outside J&K since August 5, 2019 to Jammu and Kashmir after the COVID-19 lockdown is over. “We want to make it clear that a total redemption of the situation is not possible unless all political detainees are released. Shifting of Ms Mufti to her residence, though late, is a step in right direction and welcoming,” he added.
Meanwhile, Iltija Mufti, daughter of Mehbooba Mufti, who has been landing her mother’s twitter handle, wrote: “Ms Mufti is home but still booked under PSA. Media wasn’t given access to her at all despite waiting for hours. Is GOI scared that she’ll articulate her views on illegal abrogation of Article 370? Time doesn’t change facts or erase a betrayal etched in memory.”
Iltija said when restrictions are finally lifted on her mother, she will approach all stakeholders for a joint strategy to move forward. “She will also speak to the press about her views on what transpired post 5th August,” she wrote.
‘All Kashmiris illegally detained since 5th August deserve freedom. Their continued incarceration even in times of a global pandemic undermines our democratic credentials. Nevertheless, I’d like to thank everyone for their support & good wishes,’ Iltija tweeted.
Mehbooba must be set free: Omar
