Jammu and Kashmir: Several PDP leaders detained ahead of anti-Israel protest

There was no official word on these detentions.

Iltija Mufti, who is the media advisor to PDP president and her mother Mehbooba Mufti, said the party workers and leaders were being targeted selectively on one pretext or another.

“We had chalked out a protest programme today to express our solidarity with Palestinian people who are being targeted collectively at the hands of Israel. Since last evening several leaders including party general secretaries even DDC members have been put under house arrest and some are lodged in police stations," Iltija said during a press conference in Srinagar.

She said after 2019, a worrying pattern had emerged where the PDP was first split at the behest of New Delhi and now when the party wanted to carry out a political activity or a peaceful protest, they were not allowed to do so.

"I want to ask the local administration as to why since 2019 you are consistently cracking down on PDP. You also denounce us anti nationals and the fact is that we we want to carry activities very peacefully," she said.

She said India also stands with Palestine cause from the beginning and they were surprised as to why authorities did not allow them to protest against Israel.

“Our protest is not against our national interest. ..We believe in democracy and peace. It is our fundamental right to protest. Why is the J & K administration snatching this democratic right from us,” she said.

Earlier, PDP spokesman said the party's senior vice-president Abdul Rahman Veeri, general secretary Ghulam Nabi Lone Hanjura have been kept under house arrest by the police.

Last week Mehbooba Mufti led a party protest against Israel in Srinagar. The administration also disallowed the congregational prayers for the last two Fridays at the historic Jamia Masjid in Srinagar due to fear of possible anti-Israel protests.

(With UNI inputs)