PDP Leader Claims House Detention Ahead of Kashmir Martyr's Day
People's Democratic Party (PDP) leader Iltija Mufti has stated that she and her mother, former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti, have been placed under house detention ahead of July 13, a day observed in Kashmir as Martyrs' Day.
In a video message circulated on social media, Iltija said: “As you see, we have been put under house arrest. A Sub Inspector Mohammad Rafi is here. We are requesting him to come inside to tell us why we have been put under house arrest, but he is not coming.”
She also questioned the government's claims of normalcy in Jammu and Kashmir, adding: “The government makes claims of normalcy. This is the normalcy here; you can count the number of locks on our gates.”
July 13 marks the anniversary of a 1931 protest in Srinagar where 22 people were killed in clashes with state forces. The day is observed by many in the region as a day of remembrance. Authorities often impose restrictions around sensitive dates to prevent potential unrest.
Official confirmation of the house detention was not immediately available. The Jammu and Kashmir administration has not issued a statement on the matter. Similar preventive measures have been taken in past years, including the detention of political figures during significant anniversaries.
Iltija, who serves as the president of the PDP's women's wing, has been increasingly active in political discourse. Her mother, Mehbooba Mufti, is a former chief minister and current Member of Parliament. Both have been critical of the central government's policies in Jammu and Kashmir.
The video has drawn attention amid ongoing debates about political freedom and security measures in the region. Human rights groups have previously raised concerns about house detentions, while authorities defend them as necessary for maintaining public order.
