Alleging that arrest of president of youth Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Waheed -ur-Rehman by National Investigation Agency (NIA) was just to blackmail and intimidate mainstream political parties in Jammu and Kashmir, former Chief Minister (CM) Mehbooba Mufti on Wednesday afternoon said it is now upto judiciary to dispense justice and ensure his release.
Mr Parra appeared before the investigation agency at New Delhi on Monday and Tuesday for his alleged links with former Deputy Superintendent of Police (Dy SP) J&K police who was arrested when he was transporting Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) militants in a vehicle to Jammu in January this year.
However, today Parra who was contesting District Development Council (DDC) elections in the J&K was arrested by the NIA at New Delhi.
Taking to micro-blogging site Twitter PDP president Mehbooba said ” PDP’s @parawahid applauded by then HM@rajnathsingh for strengthening democracy in J&K has been arrested on baseless charges by NIA today. No coincidence that he filed his nomination for DDC on 20th Nov & received NIA summons next day itself”.
In a series of Tweets she said ” Waheed was illegally arrested for more than a year in 2019. Yet his belief in democracy didn’t waver & he chose to contest DDC elections. Seems like those who place their faith in the power of democracy will earn the wrath of a hostile & communal government”.
Mehbooba further said “I can personally vouch for Waheed’s integrity, honesty & character. Its upto the judiciary now to dispense justice & ensure @parawahid is released at the earliest”.
She further alleged in her tweet” Gujarat model of persecuting Muslims is in full swing since August 2019 in J&K. This is the Naya Kashmir they want us to live in”.
Former CM, who was released after about 14 months of detention since August 5, 2019 when the Centre abrogated Article 370 and 35 A, further said ” BJP milks illegal scrapping of Article 370 in every nook & corner of the country. But when it comes to Kashmiris questioning its abrogation they are locked up & punished. Everyone knows at whose behest Devinder Singh worked for. Ironic that they have the gall to blame others.
“Waheed has no connection whatsoever with this man & is being falsely charged. All just to blackmail & intimidate PDP & other mainstream political parties in J&K, she said.