Srinagar, Dec 25 (UNI) Days after three civilians were found dead in alleged Army custody, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) President Mehbooba Mufti was put under house arrest in Srinagar to prevent her from visiting Surankote in Poonch district.
The PDP President said that her residence was locked by the police and a contingent of forces was deployed on the roads leading to her house.
“There are very perturbing reports coming in from Poonch. They have not only taken people in custody from one particular area but people from Thana Mandi, Pargai and adjoining hamlets are also being bundled. Such is the harsh treatment that many there are in critical conditions in hospitals,” Mehbooba said.
She added that her going to Surankote and talking to the victims whose dear ones have been killed in custody by the army was important.
“However, by arresting me, they (government) want to send a message that people of Jammu and Kashmir have no voice, and no one to inquire about. The government wants to send a message all across to the already disenfranchised people of Jammu and Kashmir that you have no-one who could make a query about your welfare. We will torture you, but won’t allow anyone to mitigate your sufferings—such a great injustice, what can be worse than this?” the PDP Chief asked.
The former Chief Minister said that the establishment here was treating the people of Jammu and Kashmir as “enemies” of the state, which, in her opinion, will not find a parallel in the world.
“They beat people, torture them in custody, make a video, and circulate it. It is common sense that a civilian cannot make a video inside the army custody and circulate it. They want to convey this message to all people that this is what we are capable of doing. How much fear do they want to instill in all of us?”
There was no official version of the house arrest of the PDP chief.
