The Diplomat Desk
Srinagar,(TDD): Mehbooba Mufti, the President of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has strongly condemned the reported torture of civilians in Kishtwar district and demanded an impartial probe.
She expressed grave concern over the suffering of Sajad Ahmad, Abdul Kabir, Mushtaq Ahmad, and Mehraj-ud-Din, residents of Kuath village, who were allegedly summoned to an army camp for questioning and subjected to extreme physical abuse.
According to reports, the victims sustained severe injuries, rendering them unable to walk and requiring assistance to reach a hospital for treatment. The incident has drawn comparisons to similar allegations of human rights violations in Bafliaz, Surankote earlier this year.
In a statement on social media, Mehbooba Mufti said: “Allegations of severe torture have emerged from Kishtwar, taking us back to the disturbing events that took place in Bafliaz Surankote earlier this year. Sajad Ahmad, Abdul Kabir, Mushtaq Ahmad, and Mehraj-ud-Din, all from Kuath village, were summoned to the army camp for questioning where they were allegedly subjected to extreme physical torture.
The victims, left severely injured and unable to walk, had to be carried to the hospital. I urge the UT government to take swift action against those involved to ensure accountability and prevent such heinous human rights violations from recurring.”
The PDP leader has called for an impartial investigation into the matter, demanding that the authorities hold those responsible accountable. She stressed the urgency of ensuring the safety and dignity of civilians, warning that such violations undermine public trust and exacerbate alienation in the region.
Mehbooba Mufti also appealed to civil society and concerned citizens across India to closely monitor the situation and push for justice. She reiterated her party’s unwavering commitment to fighting against injustice and safeguarding the rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.(TDD)