Budgam: PDP president Mehbooba Mufti on Friday criticised the demolition of the house of Dr. Umar Nabi, the man who drove the explosive-laden car used in the Delhi blast, saying that punitive action against the friends and families of accused persons has created fear across the Valley.
She stressed that while her party supports strict punishment for those involved in the attack, the government must ensure that innocent relatives are not targeted.
“Many people lost their lives in the tragic Delhi incident, and the entire nation is grieving. Raids are being conducted across Kashmir. We have no objection to action against the culprits, but detaining their family members and friends has generated fear, especially in the Valley,” Mufti told reporters.
Mufti was in Budgam after her party candidate Aga Syed Muntazir won the bypoll. She expressed hope that all action would follow legal procedures.
“Home Minister Amit Shah had said the law will take its course and strict action will be taken. We also want strict action, but it must be lawful. Demolishing a house where elderly parents live, or arresting friends and relatives who have no connection to the case, is wrong and should not happen,” she said.
She thanked the people of Budgam for their support, saying they rejected the 50 MLAs of the National Conference government and placed their trust in the PDP. She hoped to live up to that trust.
The former J&K chief minister added that people have grown “disillusioned” with the NC’s performance over the past year and now view the PDP as a credible alternative. Muntazir, she said, is young, educated and eager to work for the people.
During the intervening night of Thursday and Friday, security forces demolished the Pulwama house of Dr. Umar Nabi, whose identity was confirmed after DNA samples from the blast site matched those of his mother.
