Kashmiris being humiliated: PDP

J&K an open-air prison, says party in its first internal newsletter

NT Correspondent

Srinagar: The People’s Democratic Party(PDP) in its first internal newsletter has targeted the government for the worsening situation in Kashmir valley stating that J&K has been turned into an “open-air prison”.

PDP Chief Mehbooba Mufti on Thursday released the maiden internal newsletter “Speak Up” of the party. According to the newsletter, every decision taken by the present government has been with the sole aim of “collective punishment and humiliation of Kashmiris”. “As part of removing “Dil ki Doori,” the government has fired several employees on the pretext of “security.” Speaking of security, another agency was added to the government tool belt. SIA – Special Investigation Agency, was created with the sole purpose of investigating and prosecuting cases related to militancy,” the party has said. “Internet blackouts are back as well. All this coupled with alleged extrajudicial killings and never-ending arbitrary detentions enforced with draconian laws such as PSA(Public Safety Act), UAPA(Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, and AFSPA(Armed Forces Special Powers Act) are hurling us back into the 90s at a lightning-fast speed.”

The PDP also talked about the controversial encounter in the Hydepora area recently and quoting the South Asian Terrorism Portal said October was the deadliest month of 2021.

“Their bodies were snatched and buried in Handwara alongside the bodies of militants. While two abodies were returned to the families to be buried in the dead of the night a third body still lies buried in Handwara. Amir Magray was no militant. Instead of returning his body or issuing an apology, the DGP called them terrorists,” the newsletter said. “If they were terrorists why hasn’t the government formed an independent investigative committee?”

According to PDP, countless others in Kashmir have been taken from their homes and most of them won’t even make the statistics. “Appeal after appeal getting rejected with no evidence to back up the “terrorism charges” because the judges don’t want to die on their morning walks. Ashraf Sehrai’s sons rot in jail booked under UAPA for anti-India slogans,” the party said.

“Kashmiris don’t need a direct flight to Sharjah. They want to be able to walk the streets without fear of being killed”

It added, “You could give us a roundtrip to the moon but it would make no difference when frequent curfews and military barricades prevent us from going to the other side of town. So much for Modiji removing Kashmir’s “Dil ki doori.” Perhaps it’s best we kept our distance.”