J&K Police file FIR against PDP leaders over Article 370 rally; party alleges power misuse

The Jammu & Kashmir Police on Thursday lodged a First Information Report (FIR) against leaders and workers of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in connection with street protests held on August 4 and 5 to mark the seventh anniversary of the abrogation of Article 370. The FIR names former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti and her daughter Iltija Mufti among those accused.

According to the police, the PDP workers, led by Ms. Mufti and Ms. Iltija, attempted to move towards the main road on August 4 despite being asked not to assemble. The FIR alleges that the workers turned aggressive, attacked police personnel, and obstructed them from carrying out their duties, resulting in injuries to several officers.

The FIR has been registered under sections 132 (assault on a public servant), 121 (voluntarily causing hurt to deter a public servant from duty), and 191(2) (political rallies and mob violence). Police officials also visited Ms. Mufti’s residence in Khimber, Srinagar, on Thursday evening in connection with the case.

The PDP has rejected the charges, calling the FIR “a blatant misuse of power and authority.” Ms. Iltija Mufti alleged that she was manhandled by a police officer, identified as Neha Jain, despite the officer being a woman. She also accused the police of erasing CCTV footage from nearby shops and demanded that the footage be made public.

“No rioting broke out at the site. We wanted to march to the city centre and peacefully organise a sit-in over abrogation of Article 370,” Ms. Iltija said. She added that merely displaying placards with Article 370 was being treated as sedition, and there was no freedom of expression.

A PDP spokesperson said the police used excessive force to prevent a peaceful protest and that the party has eyewitnesses and intends to approach the court. The party condemned the conduct of the police personnel and demanded action against those responsible for allegedly manhandling a political leader.

Article 370, which granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir, was abrogated on August 5, 2019. The anniversary has been marked by protests and political tensions in the region.