Mufti Alleges Foul Play After OGW Jumps in J&K River, Drowns; BJP Slams Her
In a shocking incident, an overground worker (OGW) jumped into a river in Kulgam district of Jammu and Kashmir and drowned, sparking allegations of foul play by former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti. The incident has set off a political storm, with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) lashing out at Mufti for her remarks.
According to reports, the OGW, identified as 35-year-old Hilal Ahmed Lone, was picked up by the Army two days ago from the same area. However, he managed to escape and jumped into the river, which flows through the Kulgam district, on Sunday evening. Despite efforts by locals and the authorities to rescue him, Lone succumbed to his injuries and drowned.
Mufti, the president of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), took to Twitter to express her concerns over the incident. She alleged that the OGW was picked up by the Army two days ago and hinted that there might be more to the incident than what meets the eye. “What’s the hurry to get rid of him? Why the hurry to get rid of him? Why was he picked up by the Army two days ago? Why was he taken to the river and thrown in? Who is responsible for his death?” she tweeted.
However, the BJP has slammed Mufti’s remarks, calling them “baseless” and “an attempt to deflect attention from the real issues”. BJP leader Sanju Verma hit out at Mufti, saying, “Mehbooba, after the Pahalgam terror attack, said, ‘Why blame Pakistan?’ Now, she is questioning the Army’s actions. This is a classic case of cherry-picking and double standards.”
The Pahalgam terror attack, which took place in June this year, left three civilians dead and several others injured. The attack was claimed by a terrorist group, and Mufti’s comment at the time sparked a controversy, with many accusing her of downplaying the role of Pakistan in supporting terrorism in the region.
The BJP’s reaction to Mufti’s tweet was swift and sharp. “She is trying to create a narrative to distract from her own failures as a Chief Minister,” said Verma. “The people of Jammu and Kashmir know that the Army is fighting a war against terrorism, and they have the full support of the government and the people.”
The incident has also raised concerns about the safety and security of OGWs in the region. OGWs are individuals who are sympathetic to terrorist organizations but do not actively participate in terrorist activities. They often act as informants or provide logistical support to the terrorists.
The authorities have launched an investigation into the incident and are trying to determine the circumstances surrounding Lone’s death. The Army has also issued a statement, saying that it is cooperating with the investigation and has not picked up any OGWs in the recent past.
The incident has sparked a heated debate on social media, with many calling for restraint and an impartial investigation. While some have supported Mufti’s allegations, others have criticized her for politicizing a tragic incident.
As the investigation continues, one thing is clear: the incident has once again highlighted the complexities and challenges of the situation in Jammu and Kashmir. The region has been grappling with terrorism and insurgency for decades, and incidents like this one serve as a reminder of the risks and dangers faced by those who live and work there.
News Source:
https://x.com/TimesNow/status/1919063350463332380
