Srinagar: The People’s Democratic party president, Mehbooba Mufti has written a letter to Jammu and Kashmir Lt. Governor, Manoj Sinha, expressing dismay over “selective targeting” of her party’s leaders and former MLAs by the administration asking them to vacate their official residences in Srinagar.
In a letter to LG Sinha, a copy of which lies with Kashmir News Service (KNS), Mehbooba has expressed “deep” concern for “selective targeting” of PDP leader and former MLAs by the administration asking them to vacate official residences at Srinagar without providing any alternate accommodation.
“I am deeply concerned by the manner in which the administration is selectively targeting PDP leaders and ex MLA’s. At a time when militancy is on the rise yet again, they have been made to vacate their official residences in Srinagar without providing any alternate accommodation,” read the letter.
“What makes matters worse is that even after their repeated requests to grant them security in villages where they originally reside, these requests have been declined for reasons best known to you.”
She has said that the state administration has cited the presence of militants for their refusal to provide security. “But the same administration has no qualms in evicting them from secure government accommodations in Srinagar and deliberately putting them in harm’s way.”
The letter further reads that it’s no secret that in recent times we have witnessed how elected representatives have been targeted and even killed since they are soft targets especially when they are not provided with adequate security. “Let me also bring to your notice that the former MLA from PDP Zahoor Mir has been a victim of militancy himself. His father was shot dead by militants.”
She said that “In such circumstances I find it surprising & extremely distressing that while on one hand there is a section of new politicians who are given all kinds of facilities including security to facilitate their movement throughout J&K. But on the other hand, members of PDP are treated with utter disdain and contempt.”
Mehbooba has said that it’s almost as if the administration is intentionally putting their lives at risk. “I would like to place it on record that if anything untoward happens to any of my party men, I will hold this administration responsible. I hope that you will intervene and take corrective steps immediately,” reads the letter. (KNS)
