Mehbooba Mufti Claims Fake Encounter in Kashmir, Calls for Youth Participation in Politics

Mehbooba Mufti, chief of the People's Democratic Party, alleged on Thursday that a recent encounter in Jammu and Kashmir's Ganderbal district was 'fake.' The encounter resulted in the death of a local man, Rashid Ahmad Mughal, whom the Army initially identified as a foreign militant, later recanting to label him a local affiliated with militancy.

Mufti, speaking to reporters, contended that Mughal, an orphan running a local NGO, was unfairly targeted and buried away from his family in Baramulla. She called on the youth to engage in mainstream politics to address such social issues and emphasized the importance of their involvement in municipal, panchayat, or Assembly elections.

The PDP leader also criticized the National Conference government for prioritizing the wealthy over the underprivileged. She referred to past attempts by her party to regularize land rights for the poor and accused the government of failing to safeguard these rights. Additionally, Mufti claimed the government's moves on power projects betrayed the poorest citizens.