Kashmiri leader Mehbooba Mufti has accused the Indian government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, of pushing ordinary people in the illegally occupied territory towards militancy. Speaking at a gathering in the region, Mufti expressed concern about the government’s actions, including the arrest of numerous individuals and raids by different investigative agencies following an attack on two army vehicles in Poonch.
On December 23, reports surfaced that three Kashmiris had allegedly been tortured to death while in the custody of the Indian army. These individuals were among eight civilians detained for interrogation in connection with the aforementioned attack, according to local sources.
Mehbooba criticized the government’s approach and emphasized the need for a more peaceful resolution. She suggested following the example of Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, who sought to calm tensions and provide a pathway for separatists to coexist peacefully within the country. Mehbooba, who leads the regional People’s Democratic Party, stated that the people of Jammu and Kashmir would not surrender or raise the white flag.
She warned against the use of force, asserting that such measures would not be accepted. In recent developments, the Indian government declared the Tehreek-i-Hurriyat Jammu and Kashmir an “unlawful association” for five years. According to India’s Union Minister of Home Affairs Amit Shah, the group was implicated in activities aimed at separating Jammu and Kashmir from India and establishing Islamic rule.
Earlier, India had also designated the Muslim League Jammu Kashmir (Masarat Alam faction), or MLJK-MA, as an “unlawful association.” This move is part of broader efforts by the Indian government to address security concerns and curb separatist activities in the region.
