The daughter of Mehbooba Mufti, the President of Jammu & Kashmir Peoples Democratic Party (JKPDP), Iltija Mufti, on Friday, shared her mother’s concerns over the increasing number of arbitrary arrests and detentions that have occurred in the Indian occupied valley of Kashmir since the Narendra Modi-led Indian government forcefully annexed the disputed territory after abolishing its special constitutional status on 5th August.
Mehbooba Mufti, former Chief Minister of Occupied Kashmir, was placed under house arrest a night before the abolishment of Article 370 that provided the disputed valley with special constitutional privileges. Later, Miss Mufti was arrested on the day of the move.
I am reiterating here that I am not a politician or a person with political affiliation. I am doing this on behalf and for my mother who is a politician, and a president of a registered political party.
As per the notice issued to the Chief of the Jammu and Kashmir People’s Democratic Party (JKPDP), Mehbooba Mufti has been detained because her actions “are likely to cause breach of peace.” Iltija Mufti will now be operating her mother’s twitter account “with due authorization” as the JKPDP chief has been barred from accessing any forum.
Sharing the news on Twitter, Iltija had said, “Ms Mehbooba Mufti, former Chief Minister J&K to whom this twitter handle belongs has been detained since 5th August 2019 without access to the account. This handle is now operated by myself, Iltija daughter of Ms Mufti with due authorization.”
Ms Mehbooba Mufti, former Chief Minister J&K to whom this twitter handle belongs has been detained since 5th August 2019 without access to the account. This handle is now operated by myself, Iltija daughter of Ms Mufti with due authorisation.
— Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) September 20, 2019
Seeking Information on Arrests & Detentions
Iltija shared images of a letter dispatched to the home secretary on behalf of her mother, requesting information regarding the arbitrary arrests and unprecedented detentions. The letter also requested the number of districts where prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the Indian Criminal Procedure Code (CRPC) have been implemented.
Sharing her concerns, Iltija Mufti said, “I, Iltija emailed the Home Secretary of GOI & Home Secretary of J&K on 18th September seeking certain information for my mother, Ms. Mufti. I am still awaiting a response.”
I, Iltija emailed the Home Secretary of GOI & Home Secretary of J&K on 18th September seeking certain information for my mother, Ms Mufti. I am still awaiting a response. 👇🏻 pic.twitter.com/ZtjFodUMEV
— Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) September 20, 2019
The letter said, “During the period of her detention, she has had no access to newspapers and has not had any political briefing from a member of her party or staff thus far. She has only been able to meet the members of her immediate family, including myself.”
Iltija Mufti has requested the administration of occupied Jammu & Kashmir and the Indian government to provide information on the number of women and minors who have been arrested or detained. The letter requested, “The number of residents of the state of J&K who were detained/arrested or put under house arrest on or after 05.08.2019. Please provide this information tabulated by district and police station, and their current status (e.g. ‘detained’, ‘released’ or ‘under house-arrest etc.).”
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Mufti also requested details of the detenues that have been transported out of the occupied valley, the total number of deaths, the people booked under the Public Safety Act, and the regions that still remain subjected to prohibitory orders.
Iltija Mufti wrote, “I am reiterating here that I am not a politician or a person with political affiliation. I am doing this on behalf and for my mother who is a politician, and a president of a registered political party.”
She added, “You are requested to provide me with the following information, as soon as possible and preferably within three days.”
International media reports and human rights groups reveal that over 4000 people have been arrested across Kashmir since New Delhi revoked the special status of the occupied valley.