Srinagar: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti on Wednesday called for a transparent and fair investigation into the Delhi blast, while expressing concern over the harassment of innocent family members linked to the suspects.
Speaking at a party event in Srinagar, Mehbooba strongly condemned the blast, describing it as “heartbreaking.”
“I have no words to condemn it. Seeing lives lost and bodies scattered is simply heartbreaking,” she said.
The former chief minister of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir said that such incidents risk stigmatizing the people of Kashmir.
“If reports about the involvement of Kashmiri doctors are true, it will be deeply distressing. Doctors are the cream of our society, and nothing can be more painful than seeing our educated youth involved in such acts,” she remarked.
Mehbooba urged the authorities to ensure justice without bias and to avoid targeting the families of those under investigation.
“The government must punish the guilty, but detaining or harassing family members merely on suspicion is unacceptable. Let investigations proceed lawfully, but don’t treat relatives of the accused as criminals. The crime is not yet proven,” she said.
Calling for the probe to be expedited, the PDP chief reiterated her party’s stand on the need for a peaceful resolution to the Kashmir issue.
“Until that happens, such tragic incidents may continue to occur. Violence must end so that Kashmir can finally emerge from this suffering,” she said.
Referring to the ongoing raids in Kashmir connected to the Delhi blast, Mehbooba urged the Centre to act with sensitivity.
“We feel the pain of what happened in Delhi even more deeply, having witnessed bloodshed for decades. I urge the Central government to ensure a quick and transparent investigation,” she added.
Meanwhile, Kaiser Sultan Jin, former district president of Ganderbal for the Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP), joined the PDP along with his supporters. They were welcomed into the party by Mehbooba Mufti and other senior leaders.
