Mehbooba seeks PM’s intervention in Kashmiri students arrest case

Srinagar, Oct 30 (UNI) Former Chief Minister and Peoples Democratic
Party president  Mehbooba Mufti on Saturday wrote a letter to Prime
Minister Narendra Modi about the recent alleged harassment  of
Kashmiri students within  and outside the union territory saying “such
punitive actions laced with contempt will only further the sense of
mistrust and alienation between the younger generation and rest of the
country”.
She requested Modi to intervene so that the “future of these young
bright minds is not destroyed”.
“I write to you with a deep sense of disappointment and concern about
the alarming situation in Jammu and Kashmir. Not too long ago when you
presided over an all-party meeting in Delhi you expressed your
intention to remove “dil ke doori” between Delhi and J&K.
“In my capacity as the President of PDP, I suggested a few confidence
building measures that would have provided a sense of relief &
breathing space to the people of J&K,” she wrote.
She said they had been waiting for the roll-out of a policy to address
the hearts and minds of people especially youth.
“While the spree of raids, arrests, killings continue unabated the
level of repression and state intolerance has touched a new low,” she
observed.
She said there were expectations that Home Minister’s recent visit to
J&K would have led to a meaningful reach out.
“After his statement about engaging with the youth here, instead what
followed was shocking & worrying. A friendly cricket match between
India & Pakistan that was solely a source of entertainment for people
here  bruised by incessant lock-downs, Internet gag & restriction of
movement led to booking youngsters under the draconian UAPA for simply
choosing to cheer the winning side.
“Our brightest young people pursuing professional courses like MBBS
have been targeted and slapped with anti-terror laws. While within
Kashmir youth are no strangers to the state excesses, three students
in Agra too have been arrested & charged with sedition for the same
reasons. This despite the College’s own admission that they didn’t
engage in any activity that might be construed as anti-national,”
Mufti said.
“Patriotism & sense of loyalty has to be cultivated with compassion &
can’t be forced by wielding the baton or by the barrel of a gun. Such
punitive actions laced with contempt will only further the sense of
mistrust & alienation between the younger generation & rest of the
country,” she added.
Political parties & their fortunes will wax & wane over the course of
time. But what matters most is the future generation that will have to
carry the burdens of the past yet strive to fulfil the expectations of
a better tomorrow. Especially when it comes to a state like J&K
steeped in its history of repeated betrayals & past wounds, she said.
“Wisdom deems it prudent for this government to engage with them,
understand their aspirations & goals. I fervently request you to
intervene so that the future of these young bright minds is not
destroyed,” Mufti added.