Early Times Report
Srinagar, Oct 6: The women wing of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has sought permission from the District Magistrate (DM), Srinagar, to meet party president and former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti who is under detention since August 5, 2019, when the Centre abrogated special status of erstwhile Jammu and Kashmir state.
However, similar request made by the General secretary of the PDP Ghulam Nabi Lone Hanjura, Abdul Rehman Veeri, Khursheed Alam and Aijaz Ahmad in a joint letter to DM, Srinagar on October Ist, but did not get any response from the administration.
The letter had mentioned the Supreme Court (SC) directions on a petition filed by Iltija Mufti seeking release of her month Mehbooba from the detention under Public Safety Act (PSA).
A PDP spokesman said Safina Baig, president of women wing of the PDP has sent a letter to DM, Srinagar Dr Shahid Choudhary on October 5, seeking permission to meet Mehbooba, presently detained in Sub-Jail , Fairview Gupkar road.
Safina Baig, wife of PDP patron Muzaffar Hussain Baig, in a letter written on Monday, said since August 5, 2019 party president Mehbooba Mufti is under detention. She said despite repeated requests we were not allowed to meet her. Therefore, we could not inquire about her wellbeing besides discuss with her matters pertaining the party.
The letter of Safina Baig quoted SC order which reads that as and when a request is made to meet Mehbooba same should be promptly considered by concerned authorities in accordance with the law. In the light of SC directions we request you (DM, Srinagar) to allow us to meet Mehbooba at the designated sub jail Fairview Gupkar, Safina said adding that “ we believe that the denial of permission will be in contravention of the SC order.
“ Looking forward to receiving a response from you in affirmative”, the letter said.
Ms Mufti was arrested along with two former CMs Dr Farooq Abdullah, Omar Abdullah and dozens of former ministers, legislators and political leaders before scrapping the Article 370 and 35 A. However, majority of these leaders were released after they reportedly gave an undertaking that they will not challenge the August 5, 2019 decision of the Centre.
Dr Abdullah and his son were released in March this year while the PSA of Mehbooba was extended. However, she was shifted from Hari Niwas to her official residence at Gupkar which was declared sub jail.
Large number of former ministers and legislators of PDP have formed Apni Party headed by Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari, also a former minister in PDP-BJP government headed by Mehbooba.
|
