PDP requests Centre to release former J&K CM Mehbooba Mufti

Srinagar : The People's Democratic Party (PDP) on Monday requested the government to release their party president and former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir Mehbooba Mufti. She was detained and placed on house arrest on August 5 eve when the government announced scrapping of Article 370 and bifurcation of the state into two UTs.

The party flagged Mufti's deteriorating health and the absence of a telephone link with her ailing mother to request her release.

Speaking to the press, party general secretary Ved Mahajan said, "Present political scenario is known to all and we feel that the political leadership of J&K, which has been detained since August 4, should be released immediately.

"It is very unfortunate that a vindictive approach has been adopted against the political leadership of Jammu and Kashmir, especially against our party president Mehbooba Mufti," he said.

"Her mother is very old, aged around 78, and she is suffering from various ailments. The landline phone of her mother has not been restored and Mehbooba ji has no communication link with her mother...The detention centre is at a very isolated place. She has no permission to come out of it...and harsh winter has set in. All these things are taking a toll on her health...we request the government to release her immediately," said Mahajan.