IIOJK risks becoming permanent “police state”, warns PDP’s Iltija Mufti
Srinagar: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader Iltija Mufti has voiced concerns about the growing influence of Indian security agencies and the New Delhi-installed administration in the electoral process in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, warning that their dominance could reinforce the perception of the territory as a “police state.”
According to Kashmir Media Service, Iltija’s remarks come amidst the Election Commission of India’s visit to IIOJK to assess preparedness for the so-called Assembly polls.
In a post on X, Iltija Mufti, who is also the daughter of PDP President Mehbooba Mufti, stated, “It’s easy to guess that while political parties here [IIOJK] will press the ECI for early elections, security agencies and the local administration will likely be apprehensive. However, ceding space to the latter will only reinforce that J&K will continue being a deep state within a police state, antithetical and perpetually hostile to democracy.”
The ECI delegation led by Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar met with representatives of various political parties and senior officers from the police and civil administration in IIOJK to gauge the ground realities.
Iltija’s comments reflect growing unease among political leaders in IIOJK about the extent of control exercised by Indian agencies in the territory, threatening the so-called democratic process.
