Separatists to PDP MLAs: Revolt against Mehbooba Mufti

Key Kashmiri separatist leaders on Wednesday asked the MLAs of ruling Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) to rise in revolt against chief minister Mehbooba Mufti, abandon her and come back to their people. A similar “ultimatum” was served on the legislators of other mainstream parties, including the main Opposition National Conference (NC).

In the backdrop of the mayhem being witnessed in the Kashmir Valley which has left 44 people dead and over 2,200 injured, the separatists in a joint statement issued here said, “The red line of such brutal killings transcends political and ideological differences. Introspect and come back to be with your People.”

Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Muhammad Yasin Malik, who are part of a recently formed issue-based loose alliance of separatists said, “Enough is enough. No more deaths. That’s why people protest because human life matters, the lives of our youth, women and children matter.”

They alleged that the people of Kashmir are being systematically and intentionally targeted for demise and to be made blind. “We declare our resilience in the face of deadly oppression. Every human life matters. The sanctity of life needs to be restored. Children, women and youth have lost their lives and eyesight. Media have lost count of the toll. It’s time not to get dehumanised,” the statement said.

It sought to issue an “immediate ultimatum” to the “perpetrators” to put a stop to firing, killings, maiming and blinding.

“Mehbooba Mufti has failed, as did Omar Abdullah in 2010 and since she can’t stop loss of human life her MLAs should abandon her and come back to their people”. The statement added, “The red line of such brutal killings transcends political and ideological differences. Introspect and Come back to be with your People. Forget about power and perks and take side of people. Stop being the loyalist representatives of subjugators and murderers of people. Refuse to be the collaborators of the merchants of death whose hands are soaked in the blood of our youth and children”. The statement further asked the lawmakers of the ruling party “not to give India a chance to use you as shield to carry out this butchery of Kashmiris”. It said, “The same applies to other pro India loyalists the National Conference and others. For once support truth! Stop the killings! Kashmiri lives matter!”