Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti has sparked controversy with her strong criticism of the union territory’s law-and-order situation, demanding the dismissal of the director general of police (DGP). Mufti accused the DGP of treating Kashmiris as “Pakistanis” and condemned the government’s handling of security challenges.
Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, Mufti raised questions about the DGP’s effectiveness in dealing with border security amidst ongoing infiltration from Pakistan. She stated, “While there is infiltration from Pakistan, what is the DGP doing? Is it my job or Omar Abdullah’s job to stop the infiltration? Who is at the borders? Who has to deal with the situation? Who has militarized the police force? Who has criminalized the thought process of Kashmiris?”
Mufti also alleged harsh crackdowns on dissent and protests, resulting in widespread incarceration of dissenters. She questioned the DGP’s accomplishments, asking, “What has this person achieved?” and accused him of alienating the Kashmiri populace, particularly the majority community, by treating them as adversaries.
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Turning to recent terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir, Mufti criticized the BJP-led government’s narrative of peace and stability (“sab changa hai”) following the abrogation of Article 370 as misleading. She condemned the government’s control over public expression and political dissent, asserting, “There there are raids by the ED, SIA, and SIU. People cannot speak or show anything. Everything is under their control. We are not in power; Hurriyat leaders are in jail or have passed away. In North Kashmir, people preferred to elect a voice that speaks about self-determination and plebiscite. A nationalist force wasn’t elected. Isn’t this the incompetence of the government? They want to conceal their shortcomings. The DGP should be sacked.”
Mufti’s statements were prompted by recent remarks from Jammu and Kashmir Police chief RR Swain, who accused regional political parties of facilitating Pakistan’s infiltration into Kashmiri civil society. Swain’s allegations against “so-called mainstream political parties” for nurturing ties with terror networks for electoral gain sparked further controversy.
The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) chief highlighted the electorate’s rejection of nationalist forces in North Kashmir, favoring voices advocating self-determination and plebiscite. She criticized the government’s failure to address these sentiments effectively, calling for accountability and insisting on the DGP’s removal to restore trust and address security challenges.