PDP leader Iltija Mufti claims she and her mother Mehbooba Mufti placed under house arrest in social media post
On Saturday, Iltija Mufti, a leader of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), alleged that she and her mother, PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti, had been placed under house arrest. The claim was made public through a post shared by Iltija on the social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter), where she expressed frustration over the restrictions imposed on their movements.
According to Iltija Mufti, the restrictions were enforced as she and her mother planned separate visits to meet the families of two recent victims of violence in Jammu and Kashmir. Mehbooba Mufti, the former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir and current president of the PDP, had planned to travel to Sopore. Her visit was intended to meet and offer condolences to the bereaved family of Waseem Mir, a truck driver who was tragically killed in an incident involving army firing on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, Iltija Mufti stated that she had intended to visit Kathua to meet the family of Makhan Din, another victim of alleged injustice. However, she claimed that authorities had taken preemptive action to prevent these visits by locking the gates of their residence, effectively confining them to their home.
Taking to social media, Iltija expressed her outrage, stating, “My mother and I have been placed under house arrest. The gates of our residence have been locked because Mehbooba Mufti was planning to visit Sopore, where Waseem Mir was shot dead by the army.”
She further highlighted the restrictions imposed on her movements. “I had plans to visit Kathua to meet the family of Makhan Din, but I am being prevented from stepping out of the house. These actions reflect that nothing has changed in Kashmir, even after the elections. Comforting the families of victims is now being treated as a criminal act,” she said in her post.
The house arrest of the two prominent PDP leaders has drawn attention to the ongoing challenges faced by political figures and civilians in the region. Critics argue that such actions stifle political activities and infringe upon the rights of individuals to express solidarity with victims and their families.
The alleged killing of Waseem Mir in Sopore has sparked outrage and added to the long-standing tensions in the region. Reports suggest that the truck driver was killed in a firing incident involving the army, raising questions about the use of force and its impact on civilian lives. Similarly, Iltija’s intended visit to Kathua to meet the family of Makhan Din underscores the persistent issues affecting ordinary citizens in Jammu and Kashmir.
The PDP leaders’ house arrest also raises broader concerns about democracy and freedom of movement in the Union Territory. The Mufti family has often been vocal about their criticism of the central government’s policies in Jammu and Kashmir, particularly since the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019. This incident adds to the growing list of complaints regarding the suppression of political dissent and the curbing of civil liberties in the region.
Neither the local administration nor security forces have provided any official statement on the matter at the time of this report. The incident continues to generate discussions on social media and among political circles, with many questioning the rationale behind restricting leaders from offering condolences to victims’ families.
As the situation unfolds, this episode highlights the complexities of governance and political activity in a region that remains mired in conflict and controversy.
