Remove my security cover, says Iltija Mufti

Iltija Mufti, daughter of former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti, has asked the government to remove her security after she was prevented from visiting the grave of her grandfather and former chief minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed on his fourth death anniversary.

"I don't want any SSG (Special Security Group) cover, it has become a pretext for the authorities for curtailing my movement," Iltija told IANS. "I am now writing a letter to the police higher ups seeking the removal of my security," she said.

Last week she was barred from visiting Mufti's grave in the run up to his fourth death anniversary.

She then approached the authorities for permission to visit the grave on January 7 which was denied.

She also alleged that senior police officials were "harassing" her.

"This is not the way you treat the grand daughter of a former chief minister," she said. "Is it a crime to be a Muslim in this country."

She said the security cover of her aunt Rubaya Sayeed, who was kidnapped by militants in 1989 and released after the government freed five militants, has been removed making her vulnerable.

"They seem to have given no consideration to the fact that that my aunt was kidnapped by militants, her security has suddenly been removed without any reason," she said.

Mehbooba continues to be in detention at a government bungalow at MA Road since August 5 like Farooq Abdullah and his son Omar Abdullah.

Farooq has been detained in his house at Gupkar Road while Omar has been kept at Hariniwas.

The Centre has said the three former chief ministers will be released when the local administration deems it fit

On December 5, none of the family members of Sheikh Abdullah were allowed to visit his grave on the 115th birth anniversary. Two National Conference MPs Hasnain Masood and Akbar Lone and a few National Conference supporters held a prayer meet at the grave of National Conference founder.

Iltija has hogged the limelight ever since J&K special status was removed by Centre. She has given several interviews to national and international media and has been highly critical of the BJP government.

Political observers in Kashmir believe she has emerged as the face of dissent in Kashmir at a time when most politicians are reluctant to speak against the Article 370 move by the BJP.

They believe that Iltija would benefit politically from the tough stand she has taken against the BJP. She however insists that she is not a politician but given the political vacuum in Kashmir and the crisis in the PDP, she could well emerge as the heir to the political fortune of the party.