NC slams PDP Chief’s ‘theatrics’, says matter already taken up with Centre

Srinagar, Aug 25: National Conference (NC) on Monday criticised People’s Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti’s protest demanding the shifting of Jammu & Kashmir prisoners to local jails, saying the issue has already been raised with Union Home Minister Amit Shah multiple times.NC chief spokesperson and MLA Zadibal, Tanvir Sadiq, described the PDP’s move as political theatrics rather than a genuine effort to address prisoners’ plight. “The demand to bring back J&K prisoners is legitimate, but it must be taken up in Delhi, not through street protests or media campaigns in Srinagar. The Chief Minister has already approached the Home Minister multiple times over the issue, and we are expecting a decision soon,” he said while speaking to Rising Kashmir.Sadiq said the issue requires dialogue with the Centre rather than public demonstrations. “Such sensitive matters are resolved at the national level. Protests in Srinagar will not expedite the process,” he added.Accusing Mufti of “hypocrisy”, the NC spokesperson pointed out that her tenure saw a sharp rise in FIRs under UAPA. “Between 2015 and 2018, FIRs under UAPA rose by 360 per cent. Many of those lodged outside J&K jails today were booked during her government. This protest is nothing but cheap politics,” he said.Reiterating NC’s stand, Sadiq said: “Our manifesto clearly states that all boys lodged outside J&K jails should be brought back. Unlike PDP, we are not exploiting the issue for political gains.”