Srinagar, Iltija Mufti, a leader of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), has condemned the First Information Report (FIR) filed against her mother and party chief, Mehbooba Mufti, describing it as an act of open intimidation by the authorities in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir. The FIR pertains to alleged violations during a protest on the day of polling in the Islamabad-Rajouri parliamentary constituency.

According to Kashmir Media Service, at a press conference in Srinagar, Iltija Mufti criticized the tactics used by the IIOJK administration, asserting that such measures would not deter the PDP from its mission to advocate for truth and uphold democratic values in the region. “We refuse to bow down. We are committed to speaking truth and upholding democracy in the region,” she stated.

The FIR against Mehbooba Mufti was registered following her participation in a protest in Islamabad district. The protest was aimed at voicing opposition against the detention of party workers and polling agents during the ongoing polling in the Islamabad-Rajouri parliamentary constituency.

Iltija Mufti highlighted that just hours before voting began, hundreds of PDP workers and polling agents were detained by police in what she described as an attempt by New Delhi and the IIOJK administration to instill fear in areas known to be PDP strongholds, potentially affecting voter turnout.

Iltija clarified that her mother’s intention was not to disrupt the polling process but to protest against what she perceives as unjust actions against her party members and supporters.