Didi: Mufti, Omar not ultras, why detain them?

Kolkata, August 6

Setting at rest speculation on her silence regarding Article 370 revocation, West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee today slammed the Centre for declaring J&K a UT without taking the opinion of other political parties or holding a vote.

Speaking to mediapersons before leaving for Chennai, where she will tomorrow unveil a statue of DMK leader Late K Karunanidhi, Banerjee, however, did not directly criticise the abolition of J&K’s special status by the Centre. She said she was against the “procedure” adopted by the Centre for doing so.

She also slammed the Centre for arresting former J&K CMs Mehbooba Mufti and Omar Abdullah on Monday night. “They are political personalities and not terrorists. They should be released immediately. The Centre should build confidence among people and not create panic,” Banerjee said. She also advocated for peaceful negotiations and resolution of the matter.

The TMC supremo was conspicuous by her silence yesterday when she refrained from making any comment on the decision. — TNS