Jammu, Mehbooba Mufti, President of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), initiated a sit-in protest on the Rajouri-Poonch highway on Saturday. This act of protest was in response to being denied permission by authorities to visit Topa Peer (Bufliaz) in Poonch, in the region of Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir.

According to Kashmir Media Service, Mufti, along with her supporters, took to the highway after authorities refused her entry into Poonch. Her visit was intended to offer condolences to families of civilians who allegedly died in Indian Army custody earlier this month. The denial by the authorities led Mufti to take a firm stand, staging the sit-in on the highway. During the protest, Mehbooba Mufti stated her determination to continue the sit-in, indicating her willingness to spend the entire night on the highway if necessary.

In her address to the media at the protest site, Mehbooba Mufti voiced her concerns over what she perceives as discriminatory treatment by the administration. She contrasted her situation with that of other political leaders who have been allowed to make similar visits without any obstacles. Mufti highlighted the inconsistency in the administration’s approach and questioned the motives behind being singled out for restriction.

Mufti expressed her bewilderment at the administration’s apprehension regarding her visit, pointing out that there were no apparent security concerns that justified the restriction. She emphasized that while transport and other leaders’ movements continued unhindered, only her activities were being curtailed. This AS per her, was possibly due to a fear that security agencies’ secrets might be exposed.