J&K leaders condemn move to extend Muft's detention

Srinagar: The National Conference (NC) and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) on Wednesday condemned the Jammu and Kashmir administration’s move to extend the detention of former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti and two other senior leaders.

J&K administration on Wednesday served fresh orders against Ms. Mufti, her uncle and ex-Deputy Speaker of the erstwhile Assembly Sartaj Madani and Dr. Farooq Abdullah’s close aide and ex-Minister Ali Muhammad Sagar.

Mr. Sagar’s son Salman Sagar said, “Never did we expect this was coming our way. It is unwarranted and demoralizing. In shuch hard times, I would request all to pin their hopes in the court of law, and abide by the law of land. We want all of to do the same”.

Ms Mufti daughter, Iltija Mufti said the action was aimed at curbing the voices of reason. “It has become a norm for the current dispensation, especially post illegal scrapping of Article 370. Therefore, the extension of my mother’s detention doesn’t surprise me. Wishful thinking to assume that by smothering any debate on Articl 370, the issue will vanish”, she stated.

NC vice president Omar Abdullah said, “Ms Mufti’s detention is unbelievably cruel and retrograde.. Nothing she has done or said in any way justifies the way the Indian state has treated her and the others detained. For a government that is making tall claims about normality in J&K, the last few days, coupled with the extension of Ms. Mufti’s detention, is proof enough that Modi ji has single-handedly pushed J&K back by decades”.

Ms. Mufti was held on August 5 last, ahead of the Centre’s decision to revoke J&K’s special status, and was booked under the PSA on February 6. She was later shifter her official residence, which has been converted into a sub-jail.