Srinagar: The recent ground intelligence reports have opposed any efforts by the government to release political leaders like People’s Democratic Party president, Mehbooba Mufti, and the restoration of high-speed internet in Kashmir Valley.
The input on internet connectivity has been reportedly given due to the recent intercepts by the intelligence during the Keran gunfight in which, apart from five militants, five special forces’ personnel from para-commandos were also killed.
Quoting source, the Sunday Guardian reported, Ms. Mufti is showing no willingness to maintain silence like Natioanal Conference leaders, Omar Abdullah and his father Farooq Abdullah. The Abdullahs had refused to talk about politics after their release and revocation of Public Safety Act. The duo said that they would prefer for the pandemic to pass, before talking about the abrogation of Article 370.
Earlier, Iltija Mufti, daughter of Mehbooba Mufti, also made it clear that her mother will approach all stakeholders in Jammu and Kashmir to formulate a joint strategy for moving forward if she is released. She also indicated that they will hold talks even with pro-freedom leaders and try to devise a common minimum programme for future politics here.
In a tweet, she said: “Time does not change facts or erase a betrayal etched in memory.” Ms. Mufti, after being shifted to her residence by authorities under detention, urged the Centre to release all detainees immediately, including political leaders jailed within and outside J-K.
Unlike the NC, indications coming from PDP camp make it clear that Ms. Mufti will create trouble even for the Abdullahs in future.
A senior leader from Jammu and former MLC of PDP Firdous Tak told media that they cannot remain salient on the issue of Article 370, and took a dig at Omar Abdullah for taking “cover” under the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ground intelligence reports have already opposed the release of Ms. Mufti and many pro-freedom leaders—even on lifting of curbs on house detention of Mirwaiz Umar Farooq. They have opposed such releases in Kashmir valley and have indicated that Ms. Mufti has the potential to “create huge trouble in the summer” if she is set free.
The Central government has not yet decided whether to release Ms. Mufti and other political leaders amid growing threat of the spread of COVID-19 in the jails.
Regarding the restoration of 4G internet services in Kashmir, intelligence agencies have opposed the move and have indicated that it will lead to more infiltration as they have intercepted a lot of messages showing frustration across the border on the slow speed of internet.
Earlier this week, the supreme court had given a week period notice to the J-K administration to respond on the curbs on 4G services.
