Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti on Saturday demanded “a thorough probe” into both the Poonch attack and the death of a civilian in security forces’ custody.
“We lost five soldiers in the unfortunate incident in Poonch (on April 20). We were expecting truth to come to the fore. Recently, former J&K Governor Satya Pal Malik suggested that attempts were made to hide the reality of the Pulwama attack in 2019. This time, we need to reach to the root of the incident and establish how such an incident took place in the Army- dominated and secure region of Bhimbher Gali of Poonch,” Ms. Mufti said in a press conference in Srinagar.
Ms. Mufti also demanded an investigation into the death of a local, Mukhtar Shah from Bhata Dhurian, who had consumed poison while in custody. “How could a person commit suicide in custody? The family alleged the victim was picked up by the security agencies. A video has surfaced where he talks about harassment of his family and friends and being fed up. Who shot the video where the victim looks unstable? The one who shot the video should be booked for abetment,” Ms. Mufti said.
She pointed out that there were growing incidents where the security forces suggested that persons had died in custody while being taken to a militant hideout or when the detained person had attempted to flee from custody.
She said the security agencies had spread terror and repression in Poonch after the attack. “The father of the victim said the security agencies, including the National Investigation Agency (NIA), misbehaved with him and the entire family,” Ms. Mufti said.
The former Chief Minister said the people of Poonch and Rajouri were peace-loving citizens. “Large scale questioning of the local population for so many days now has spread terror in the region. Dozens are in the custody of the Army, the police and the NIA. Two civilians, Zahoor Ahmad Shah and Muhammad Sayeed from Mendhar, were tortured during questioning and shifted to hospitals,” Ms. Mufti said.
She said any attempt to push the people of Rajouri and Poonch to the wall “will have dangerous consequences”. “People should not be pushed to take any unfortunate path, which can impact all of us,” Ms. Mufti said, while demanding the opening of the Mughal road to allow leaders from the Kashmir Valley to travel to the Pir Panjal Valley.
