Mehbooba Mufti expresses concern over slapping of PSA on 5 Kishtwar residents

Srinagar, Nov 10: People’s Democratic Party (PDP) President and former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti Sunday expressed concern over slapping Public Safety Act (PSA) and Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, (UAPA) on five persons in the Kishtwar district of Chenab Valley.

According to the PDP President, these five persons had been booked under draconian laws for raising voices against the exploitation of water resources of J&K by the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC).

She said the people of J&K had high expectations from the newly-elected government and urged them to look into the matter immediately so that these laws are not used arbitrarily. Talking to micro-blogging site X, Mehbooba said: “People across J&K for the last 5 years have been booked under draconian laws like PSA and UAPA on trivial charges. This latest case of slapping PSA on five persons for raising their voices against the exploitation of our water resources by NHPC to fill their coffers is shocking because people have high expectations from the newly-elected government. Hope they look into it immediately and see that these draconian laws are not used arbitrarily against our citizens for raising genuine concerns.”

Earlier, authorities booked and slapped PSA against five persons in Kishtwar district citing their history of anti-national activities.

The authorities said these individuals posed a threat to public order and the security of the Union Territory, with ongoing involvement in illegal activities despite prior warnings.

The Police executed the PSA warrants promptly upon receipt. The reports said that District Magistrate Kishtwar also ordered close surveillance on 22 others suspected of obstructing key national projects.