KL NEWS NETWORK
SRINAGAR
National Conference on Tuesday lashed out at the PDP-BJP Government of Mufti Mohammad Sayeed for its continued “opposition and aversion” to the Return and Rehabilitation Policy for those who want to return from Pakistan Administered Kashmir and Pakistan to resume their normal lives at their places of original domicile.
NC spokesperson Junaid Azim Mattu strongly condemned the arrest of an aged couple and their daughter in Mendhar on their return from Pakistan Administered Kashmir.
“An elderly man Mohammed Aziz, his wife Rashida Bi and daughter Hajiza Bi have been arrested in Mendhar on their return from Pakistan Administered Kashmir (PaK) and are now in Police custody. Under the Return and Rehabilitation Policy there was a proper mechanism for the return of such families to their homes. The policy provides such people with an opportunity to return to their homes and hearths and lead normal lives,” Mattu said in a statement.
He said the state government was deliberately sending out a very hostile signal to those who want to return from across the Line of Control and that this was a continuation of both PDP’s and BJP’s strong opposition to the Return and Rehabilitation Bill when it was proposed in the previous J&K Legislative Assembly.
“PDP had opposed the return and rehabilitation police back then and today the Government led by Mufti Sayeed continues to walk down the path of hostility and animosity against those families across the Line of Control who are not involved in any criminal or militancy related activities and want to return to their homes.”
“There is another very unfortunate narrative in the media terming their travel and return as ‘illegal’ in an attempt to vilify and villainize an aged 80 year old man, his wife and their daughter who had returned from the other side after selling their house there with a desire to spend the last years of their lives among their kith and kin. The State Government is duty-bound to ensure their release and that their resettlement in their native village is facilitated without any harassment,” Mattu said.
“Today an 80 year old man, his innocent wife and their young daughter have been arrested and detained without a single statement of concern if not condemnation coming from the PDP. Where is Mehbooba Mufti today? Where has she disappeared? PDP’s deafening silence on the persecution of innocent people – including the torture of civilians in Bandipora was shameful,” the NC Spokesperson stated.
