Jammu, 11-02-2025: In a scathing attack on the Omar Abdullah-led government, People’s Democratic Party (PDP) leader Iltija Mufti on Monday reiterated her call for a judicial probe into the alleged police torture that led to the death of a youth in Billawar tehsil of Kathua district. The PDP leader accused the government of neglecting the safety of its people, highlighting a stark contrast in priorities. She claimed that while the National Conference leadership, including Omar Abdullah, has been busy with social events and meetings in Delhi, the pressing issues concerning the welfare of Jammu and Kashmir’s citizens are being ignored.
Iltija Mufti lambasted Omar Abdullah for being more focused on his interactions with Home Minister Amit Shah than on the deteriorating situation in Jammu and Kashmir. She noted that while the government is preoccupied with what she termed the “shawl spree” in Delhi, it has sidelined the critical concerns of its own people. She pointed out that during these two months, instead of attending to urgent matters in J&K, the Chief Minister has been hosting lunches and dinners in the national capital, further distancing himself from the issues at hand.
She expressed deep anguish over the case of Makhan Din, who allegedly took his own life after being tortured by the Station House Officer (SHO) of Billawar on charges of militancy. Iltija Mufti called for a judicial inquiry into the matter and demanded the immediate suspension of the SHO. She condemned the “jugalbandi” between the National Conference, the LG administration, and the central government, accusing them of failing to prioritize the safety and security of Jammu and Kashmir’s citizens.
Further highlighting the government’s disconnect with the local issues, Iltija emphasized that even when the Budhaal area was grappling with mysterious deaths, Omar Abdullah remained in Delhi, instead of visiting the crisis zones. She criticized the Chief Minister for his indifference, stressing that he should have been in Billawar rather than attending social events.
The PDP leader also shared her personal ordeal, claiming that she was removed from the circuit house and had her private security officers suspended simply for attempting to visit Billawar to raise awareness about the case. She accused the administration of punishing those who dared to speak up against the government’s inaction.
Iltija Mufti’s criticism didn’t stop at the Chief Minister’s actions; she took aim at Dr. Farooq Abdullah, asserting that his son, Omar Abdullah, should have better priorities for Jammu and Kashmir, rather than being caught up in national-level politics. She recounted her own fear of leaving Srinagar, describing the experience as feeling like a criminal despite not having done anything wrong.
In a direct appeal to Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh, Iltija Mufti urged him to intervene in the matter. She pointed out that, following the formation of the government, the only visible change has been the easing of house arrest restrictions on National Conference members. She claimed that the only reason NC Minister Javed Rana was allowed to visit Billawar was because he did not engage with the media to discuss the ground realities.
Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had taken to social media, expressing his concern over the alleged police brutality in Billawar. He confirmed that the matter had been raised with the central government and assured that the state government would conduct its own inquiry.
The Jammu and Kashmir Police, however, have denied the allegations of custodial torture. A statement issued by the police clarified that the youth, identified as Makhan Din, had committed suicide at his residence after being questioned as a suspected Over Ground Worker (OGW), and there had been no excessive use of force during his questioning. Despite these clarifications, Iltija Mufti and the PDP remain steadfast in their demand for a full judicial inquiry into the tragic incident.