Iltija calls for probe into youth’s suicide in Kathua

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader Iltija Mufti visited the family of a youth who recently committed suicide in Kathua, following alleged torture by the police over suspected links with terrorists. She called for a judicial inquiry into the alleged human rights violations in the district, stating, “As far as the Kathua case is concerned, there are grave allegations of corruption against the local SHO (Station House Officer) Jitender Singh. The families claimed that their wards are being picked up to extort money from them.”

Iltija made these remarks after visiting the family of Makhan Din, who reportedly took his life in Kathua. She also demanded justice for a truck driver who was allegedly shot dead by the Army forces after he jumped a checkpost in Baramulla on Wednesday.

Speaking to reporters from inside the Circuit House, Iltija claimed that after her visit to the victim’s family, she was escorted here and detained, preventing her from addressing the media. “I was supposed to hold a press briefing, but I was detained here,” she said. She further criticised the National Conference (NC) for allegedly promoting the Bharatiya Janata Party’s propaganda in Jammu and Kashmir, adding, “It is due to the NC that such a situation has arisen.”

Iltija emphasised the gravity of the situation in Jammu and Kashmir, noting, “Within a span of 24 hours, the daughter of a former CM has been detained twice. Think about what must be happening to the civilians in Jammu and Kashmir. I do not say that all security forces personnel are wrong, but those who break the law should be punished.”

She expressed concern over the atmosphere of fear in Billawar, where the youth committed suicide. “The boy had sworn on the holy Quran in a video before taking his life,” Iltija added.

She further targeted the NC-led government, saying, “The NC government should be doing what I am doing. The CM is hosting lunches in Delhi, but he could not go to meet the widow of the man who died by suicide after atrocities by the police.”

She further stated, “I was not allowed to visit Kathua yesterday, but a minister of NC was. Earlier, NC and our people were detained together, but now NC is normalising the betrayal as there is bonhomie between BJP and NC.”

(With PTI inputs)