Mufti Alleges Foul Play After OGW Jumps in J&K River, Drowns; BJP Slams Her
In a shocking incident, an overground worker (OGW) in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kulgam district jumped into a river and drowned, leading to intense political fallout in the region. Former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti has alleged foul play in the incident, sparking a heated debate between her and the ruling BJP.
According to reports, the OGW, identified as Muhammad Iqbal, was picked up by the Army two days ago from his home in Kulgam district. His family alleged that he was taken away by the security forces, but was never returned. On Tuesday, Iqbal’s body was found in the Rambi Ara river, with local residents claiming that he had jumped into the water and drowned.
Mufti, who is a key leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), tweeted about the incident, saying that the locals alleged that Iqbal was picked up by the Army two days ago. She accused the security forces of being involved in the OGW’s death, and called for an investigation into the matter.
“Horrified to hear about the tragic death of Muhammad Iqbal in Kulgam. Locals claim he was picked up by the Army 2 days ago. What’s going on? Is this another case of enforced disappearance? We demand an inquiry into this tragic incident,” Mufti tweeted.
However, the BJP has slammed Mufti’s remarks, accusing her of trying to politicize the incident. Sanju Verma, a BJP leader, responded to Mufti’s tweet, saying that she had similar reactions in the past as well.
“Mehbooba, after the Pahalgam terror attack, said, ‘Why blame Pakistan?’ Now, she’s crying foul play in the death of an OGW who was allegedly picked up by the Army. Which side are you on, Mehbooba?” Verma tweeted.
The BJP leader’s jibe was aimed at Mufti’s earlier statements about the Pahalgam terror attack, in which seven people were killed in a militant attack. At the time, Mufti had questioned the need to blame Pakistan for the attack, saying that it was not necessary to jump to conclusions.
The incident has sparked a heated debate in Jammu and Kashmir, with many calling for an investigation into the circumstances surrounding Iqbal’s death. The Army has denied any involvement in the OGW’s death, saying that he was not in their custody at the time of his death.
The incident highlights the sensitive nature of the situation in Jammu and Kashmir, where the security forces are engaged in a long-standing battle against militants. The region has been experiencing a surge in militant activity in recent months, with several attacks taking place in various parts of the state.
As the investigation into Iqbal’s death continues, the political fallout is likely to be intense. Mufti’s allegations of foul play have sparked widespread outrage, with many calling for accountability from the security forces. The BJP, on the other hand, has accused Mufti of trying to divide the people and make political capital out of the tragedy.
Regardless of the outcome of the investigation, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the complexities and challenges facing Jammu and Kashmir. The region needs a peaceful and stable environment to develop, and the security forces must ensure that their actions are transparent and accountable.
