‘Jungle raj’ prevailing in J&K: Mufti

Suhail A Shah
Anantnag, April 17

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president and former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Thursday called the Governor’s rule in the state as “jungle raj” where injustices were being done with people.

“Yahan jungle ka kanoon chal raha hai (here law of the jungle prevails),” Mehbooba told reporters in the Shangus area of Anantnag district where she addressed a party workers’ meet.

She is canvassing for herself for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections on the Anantnag seat, commencing on April 23 and to be conducted in three phases.

“On Tuesday, a Subdivisional Magistrate and his employees were beaten up by the Army. The Jamaat-e-Islami has been banned and our highway has been closed. If this is not injustice, what is it then?” she asked.

The PDP president said the situation was worrisome and urged her workers to ensure her victory.

“It is only our party that can represent the true sentiments of Kashmiri people,” Mehbooba said.

Later, in Anantnag, she, while talking to reporters, accused the security forces of using chemicals to mutilate the bodies of militants and disfigure them.

“I was asked to stop handing over bodies of militants to their families when I was the Chief Minister. I resisted then but it’s the Governor’s rule now,” Mehbooba said.

The former Chief Minister said under the Governor’s rule, some chemical was being used to disfigure and mutilate the bodies of militants so that their faces are unrecognisable.

“They do not want people to turn up at the funerals to see faces of militants. Hence, the chemicals are being used,” she added.

Addressing workers at Dak Bungalow in Anantnag onWednesday, the PDP president urged the police to let go young boys arrested for stoning her cavalcade on Monday.

“I urge the police to leave them alone. These are my people and if they have the right to garland me, they have also the right to throw stones at me if they are upset,” Mehbooba said.