Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Apr 2: Peoples Democratic Party President, Mehbooba Mufti today alleged that a recent encounter in Arahama area of central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district has raised serious questions, claiming that a 29-year-old youth was killed under disputed circumstances.
Referring to the incident, Mufti said that the deceased, identified as Rashid Mughal, was initially described by authorities as a “foreign militant,” but was later said to be a local resident with alleged links to militancy.
She further claimed that the youth was running an NGO and was an orphan, calling for accountability in the case. “There are allegations that it was a fake encounter. The army first said that he was a foreign militant. After that, they said that he was from here and he was related to the militancy. However, that poor boy was running an NGO. He was an orphan boy,” she said.
She also alleged that the body was not handed over to the family and was instead buried in Baramulla, describing it as deeply concerning for local communities. “They did not even give his body to his family. In fact, they buried him in Baramulla. So, this is happening with our youth right now,” she said.
These claims, however, have not been independently verified.
Mufti said that youngsters in Jammu and Kashmir need to be brought into the political mainstream through local bodies such as panchayats, municipalities, and assembly elections. She added that her party aims to strengthen the voice of the youth and those she described as “marginalised sections of society.”
Mufti also criticised recent legislative developments in the assembly, referring to the rejection of a bill and arguing that long-standing issues related to daily wage workers remain unresolved. She said that thousands of daily wagers across departments such as PHE, R&B, irrigation, health, rural development, and estates have faced irregular payment and job insecurity for years.
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