A political row erupted on Monday between Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and former Chief minister, Mehbooba Mufti, over the demand for shifting Kashmiri prisoners back to Valley jails.
Addressing reporters in Srinagar, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti urged Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to personally take up the matter with Union Home Minister Amit Shah. “There are several political prisoners who are suffering from severe ailments. I request Omar Abdullah to meet Amit Shah and seek the shifting of all Kashmiri prisoners to Valley jails,” she said, according to news agency KINS.
Mehbooba maintained that her party had earlier moved a resolution in the Assembly for the return of prisoners, but it was rejected. “We don’t want to do politics on this issue. This is a humanitarian matter. I request Omar Abdullah, for the sake of humanity, to make an effort for their return,” she added, while noting that PDP workers were prevented from holding a peaceful protest.
Her remarks came in response to CM Omar Abdullah’s sharp criticism of the PDP demonstration in Srinagar earlier in the day.
Omar, while addressing a gathering, said that such street protests were futile. “Decisions on security matters in Jammu and Kashmir are taken by the Centre. Instead of wasting time protesting here, she should go to Delhi, meet the Home Minister, and raise the matter there, just like we did during our tenure. Protesting in Srinagar won’t serve any purpose. If she is doing it just for show, then let her continue,” he said.
Earlier, Mehbooba, accompanied by senior PDP leaders and workers, led a march from the party’s headquarters in Srinagar, demanding the release of detainees. Carrying placards and raising slogans, the PDP leaders accused the government of adopting a “vindictive approach” by keeping hundreds of youth and political activists in prisons inside and outside J&K. (KINS)
