Iltija Mufti, daughter of PDP president Mehbooba Mufti, wrote a letter to the administration on Friday, 3 January, seeking permission on behalf of her family to visit the grave of her maternal grandfather, former J&K Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, on his fourth death anniversary on 7 January.
A Special Security Group protectee, Iltija’s letter seeking permission comes a day after she was detained by the police at her residence as she tried to visit the grave of her grandfather in south Kashmir. She said that she was detained despite having sought permission to visit the grave in the Bijbehara area of Anantnag district.
“I have been detained at home and not allowed to move anywhere,” Iltija had told PTI.
In her letter to the Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) Munir Khan on Friday, Iltija said she and her family would like to visit the grave of her grandfather, a two-time chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir.
Sayeed had died at AIIMS in Delhi in 2016 after a brief illness.
“Since the civil administration and police have stated on record repeatedly that the situation in Kashmir is normal, I don’t see why we should be denied permission to offer our tributes at his grave,” she wrote.
“It would be a crying shame if the administration or police denied us the right to even mourn and remember Mufti Saab on his fourth death anniversary,” she added.
Munir Khan had denied Iltija's claim that she was detained. “The Anantnag district administration did not give clearance for her visit,” he had said.
“We also have to keep in mind that she is an SSG protectee who has to take police clearance before visiting anywhere,” Khan had added.
Barricades Outside Mehbooba’s House
Barricades have been erected at Gupkar road which leads to the 'Fairview' residence belonging to Iltija's mother and former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, who is under preventive detention since 5 August, when the Centre announced its decision to abrogate the provisions of Article 370 and bifurcate the erstwhile state into two Union territories.
Mediapersons were not allowed to reach the residence and the road was open only for security personnel and residents of the high-security area of the city.
“I wanted to go to visit my grandfather’s grave. It is my right. Is it a crime for a granddaughter to visit her grandfather’s grave or do they think I am going to organise stone-pelting or a protest there?” Iltija said.
Iltija accused the civil and the police administrations of being "arrogant", alleging "they do not want peace in the Valley".
(With inputs from PTI)
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