Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) leader Mehbooba Mufti said on Saturday she was prevented from visiting a site where she claimed illegal sand mining was taking place. On Twitter, Mufti lashed out at the Center, saying that while Jammu and Kashmir’s resources are being looted, the Indian government “has nothing but contempt for us.”
“The local administrator prevented me from visiting Rambiara Nalla today. This is where sand mining through illegal tenders has been outsourced to outsiders and the locals are excluded from the area. Our lands and resources are being plundered by the Government of India which has nothing but contempt for us, ”tweeted the PPD leader.
Claiming violation of rights by the Center, Mufti said in a subsequent tweet: “This is your distorted idea of Naya Kashmir. Sand Mafia is operating in broad daylight, but we are expected to remain silent. As a leader, it is my responsibility to articulate these complaints. But BJP is blatantly violating my rights and slowing my movements under the guise of ‘security.’
He also claimed that Jammu and Kashmir has been turned into an open-air prison.
Mufti, who was recently released from detention, formed an alliance of regional parties called the Peoples’ Alliance for the Gupkar Declaration (PAGD). Apart from the PDP, the National Conference, the Jammu and Kashmir People’s Conference and the Communist Party of India (M) are some of its other components. The alliance has announced that it will fight the upcoming District Development Council (DDC) elections in Jammu and Kashmir and has received the backing of Congress.
Earlier today, the Mufti had accused the Center of “sabotaging” the participation of political parties other than the BJP in the DDC polls by not allowing them to campaign freely.
In repeated attacks on the Center, the PAGD has accused the Jammu and Kashmir administration of “doing everything possible” to help the Bharatiya Janata Party by “locking up” its candidates citing security concerns.
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