Silence and Suffocation in Indian-Occupied Kashmir is Frightening: Mehbooba Mufti

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti has strongly criticized the prevailing conditions in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, asserting that the entire region has been transformed into a virtual prison where freedom of expression is muted.

Speaking to reporters in Pulwama, Mufti lamented the pervasive atmosphere of enforced silence and the escalating crackdown on dissenting voices. “I have initiated my election campaign to break this silence, to oppose the arbitrary arrests, and to challenge the suffocating environment prevailing here in Jammu and Kashmir,” she declared.

Expressing concern over the extensive use of coercive measures, Mufti highlighted the recent incident in Shopian where a tourist guide was shot, labeling it as regrettable. However, she vehemently objected to the indiscriminate detention of hundreds of young individuals under the draconian Public Safety Act, emphasizing that such actions only exacerbate tensions in the region.

Mufti underscored that the oppressive situation extends beyond specific districts like Pulwama and Shopian, permeating throughout Kashmir. She questioned the government’s assertion of normalcy in the region in light of the ongoing crackdown and arbitrary arrests.

As she gears up to contest the Indian parliamentary elections from the Anantnag-Rajouri Lok Sabha constituency, Mufti launched her campaign with a promise to amplify the voices of the oppressed in occupied Jammu and Kashmir. The upcoming polls for the Lok Sabha seat, scheduled for the third phase of the Indian general elections on May 7, serve as a crucial battleground for advocating the rights and aspirations of the beleaguered Kashmiri populace.

Mufti’s vocal condemnation of the stifling environment in Indian-occupied Kashmir resonates with the broader narrative of resistance against state oppression and the struggle for fundamental freedoms. As she rallies support for her campaign, Mufti’s message reverberates as a clarion call for justice and dignity for the voiceless masses enduring the harsh realities of life under occupation in Jammu and Kashmir.