Jammu: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti on Friday voiced concern over the recent attacks on Christian prayer meetings in Jammu and Kashmir, including one in Kathua, and urged the police to take prompt action to maintain communal harmony ahead of Christmas.
She cautioned that action must be taken “before fear becomes the new normal.”
“I urge the authorities, especially the Jammu and Kashmir Police, to take immediate steps as Christmas is approaching — before fear becomes the new normal,” Mufti said after meeting a delegation of the Christian community during her day-long visit to Jammu.
In a post on X, the former chief minister said the delegation had expressed “deep concern over recent attacks on prayer meetings, including one at Rajbagh, Kathua,” adding that their anguish reflected “growing intolerance and government indifference towards minorities.”
The delegation also raised the issue of an unused community centre in Jammu’s Christian colony, which remains locked despite its completion.
During her visit, Mufti also met delegations from various sections of society, including students and casual labourers. She interacted with students from different colleges and Jammu University, describing it as “a wonderful session where the new generation voiced the future and leadership listened with purpose.”
A delegation from the Casual Labourers United Front also met the PDP chief to highlight issues such as pending regularisation, delayed wages, and job insecurity.
Mufti assured them that the PDP would continue to advocate for their cause, asserting, “The rights and dignity of workers must be protected. The PDP will persistently raise their genuine demands both within and outside the Assembly.”
