Mehbooba seeks judicial probe into Jammu youth’s killing
Jammu: Peoples Democratic Party President Mehbooba Mufti visited the residence of 21-year-old Parvez Ahmed in Nikki Tawi, Jammu, and expressed solidarity with the bereaved family.
According to Kashmir Media Service, Parvez, a Gujjar youth, was killed in a staged police encounter on July 24 in Surey Chak under the jurisdiction of Satwari Police Station.
Mufti’s visit underscored growing concerns over what she described as systematic and targeted violence against the Gujjar-Bakerwal community. She said despite the installation of an elected government under Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, the suffering of the nomadic tribes continues unchecked.
Talking to reporters, she strongly condemned the killing, rejecting police claims of Parvez’s alleged involvement in drug peddling. “Mohammad Parvez was executed in a fake encounter by those meant to protect him. This is state-sponsored terror targeting the Gujjar-Bakerwal communities. I demand a time-bound judicial probe to expose the culprits and ensure justice,” she said.
Mehbooba Mufti assured the family of full support from her party and warned that such actions only widen the trust deficit in democratic institutions.
She also highlighted the plight of Gujjar-Bakerwal families, saying they are being routinely harassed during seasonal cattle migrations. She cited reports of arbitrary detentions, forced evictions, and accusations of drug peddling and cattle smuggling as daily challenges faced by the community.
“The people pinned their hopes on an elected government for relief, but the cycle of violence against our nomadic tribes continues unabated. The Gujjar-Bakerwal communities, who stood by Jammu and Kashmir through its darkest times, are treated as dispensable. This is a betrayal of their loyalty,” Mufti said.
