The Peoples Democratic Party on Monday wrote to the District Magistrate, Srinagar, urging him to allow the party leaders to meet jailed party president Mehbboba Mufti, which they said was well within her rights as a political prisoner. Mehbooba Mufti is the only mainstream political leader who continues to be under detention after the special status of J&K was scrapped and the state was downgraded to two Union Territories over a year ago. Senior PDP leaders Ghulam Nabi Lone, A R Veeri, Khurshid Alam and Aijaz Mir wrote to the DM, Srinagar, Shahid Iqbal Chowdhary, stating that the administration had not allowed them to meet her since detention. “Despite being detained under the draconic PSA at her residence Fairview (declared as sub-jail), Ms Mufti has certain legal rights even as political prisoner/detainee that cannot be violated or taken away,” the letter read. “Apart from legal aid and adequate medical facilities, these also include visit, at least twice a week, or I am sure we agree that these rights Ms Mufti is entitled to as per the Constitution. One can’t stress enough the need to allow Ms Mufti, a political leader illegally detained and deliberately cut off from the public since August 2019 access to her party members, well wishers, etc. I urge you to consider our request to meet herm which is well within her rights as a political prisoner,” the letter said. The PDP is among the six mainstream parties that had pledged to restore the status of Jammu and Kashmir in Gupkar declaration. The other signatories of August 22 the joint statement are the National Conference, the Peoples Conference, the Congress, the Awami National Conference and the CPI-M. After the abrogation of J&K special status, PDP is yet to hold a meeting of its leaders to discuss the political situation.
