PDP leader Iltija Mufti on Sunday visited the family of Makhan Din, a 25-year-old man from the Billawar area of Kathua in Jammu and Kashmir. Makhan Din tragically took his own life after claiming he was tortured by the police over false accusations of being linked to terrorists.
Before his death on Tuesday, Makhan recorded a video where he insisted he was innocent and had no connections to terrorism. His death has led to investigations by both the police and local authorities.
Mehbooba Mufti, Iltija’s mother and former Chief Minister, expressed her sadness on social media, saying, “Finally Iltija managed to reach Billawar to meet the family of Makhan Din, who was driven to suicide by police torture.” She criticized the ruling party for not taking responsibility and shifting blame to the Lieutenant Governor, while the PDP continues to support the community.
Iltija had faced difficulties in reaching the family, claiming that she and her mother were placed under house arrest in Srinagar. She shared on social media, “I wanted to visit Kathua to meet Makhan Din’s family, but I am not being allowed to leave. Nothing has changed in Kashmir even after elections. Now, even comforting families of victims is being treated as a crime.”
This situation highlights ongoing concerns about police behavior and accountability in Jammu and Kashmir, as well as the challenges faced by opposition leaders in connecting with the people they represent. The PDP has promised to keep fighting for the rights and well-being of the community, despite these obstacles.
