Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader Iltija Mufti, daughter of former J&K Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, on Sunday accused the J&K Police of barring her from addressing a press conference after she visited the family of Makhan Din, who allegedly died by suicide following police “torture” in Jammu’s Kathua district.
Ms. Mufti’s alleged detention came hours after she accused the J&K Police officials of “torture” and “extortion” and identifed the local Station House Office (SHO) of Kathua’s Billawar. After her return from Kathua, Ms. Mufti’s scheduled press conference was not allowed at the Circuit House, Jammu, as she accused the police of not allowing her to interact with the media.
“Families in Billawar told me how the SHO detains youngsters and asks for money. When the youngsters are unable to pay money, they are booked under fake charges,” Ms. Mufti said.
She claimed that she had to leave Srinagar for Jammu in the middle of the night and head for Kathua around 6 a.m. “After my return from Kathua, the police arrived at the Circuit House, Jammu. I was asked to cancel my press conference. When I refused, they detained me. I want to ask the government what have you done?” Ms. Mufti asked.
She demanded a judicial inquiry into the incident. “The administration knows that a judicial inquiry will result in the termination of officers,” Ms. Mufti added.
Din, 26, was found dead on Monday and also posted a video, where the victim claimed he was tortured in police custody.
She also criticised J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. “I wish our Chief Minister had come to Kathua, but I saw on the internet that he was having an Al Fresco lunch in Delhi. I think he is unaware that a young girl has been widowed as her 25-year-old husband committed suicide after being tortured and harassed by SHO,” she said.
Also read: Video shot before death of civilian in J&K indicates police ‘torture’
Meanwhile, PDP president Mehbooba Mufti condemned the authorities’ move to stop her daughter from addressing the press conference. “Visiting and offering solace to the families of victims has now been criminalised. This is evident from the latest actions of the police, who have detained Iltija at the Circuit House in Jammu, preventing her from addressing a press conference. This blatant disregard for our democratic rights as free citizens highlights a disturbing trend,” the former J&K Chief Minister said.
She said it appeared that the ruling party’s understanding of democracy extends only as far as holding elections and forming a government “with little regard for the fundamental freedoms that underpin a true democracy”. “Very unfortunate and ironical that one National Conference Minister’s visit to Billawer was facilitated by police and Iltija is being punished for the same,” she added.
