The Kashmiri leader has called for the release of Modi political prisoners

One of the main pro-democracy leaders in Kashmir said that along with the order to hold new elections in Indian territory, other measures must be taken to restore the release of political prisoners and the trust of the people.

Mehbooba Mufti Jammu and former Kashmir chief minister also called for a financial aid package to help fix the region’s troubled economy after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. he stated his intention to restore the elected government.

“So they have to reach out to people [they] he can see something going on, “Mufti said in an interview with the Financial Times after talks between Kashmir’s leaders and the central government.” Otherwise, it looks like a photo shoot. “

Modik severely disrupted the Kashmir and tourism-based economy in August 2019 by the government suddenly thrown A constitutional article guaranteeing political autonomy to the only Muslim-majority state in India has been scarred by the separatist insurgency backed by Pakistan.

New Delhi took direct control and evacuated more than 20,000 Indian and foreign tourists from Kashmir threat of terror, put the local population locked up and suspended their mobile phone or Internet services for a month.

Several important politicians in Kashmir were arrested, including Mufti, who was jailed for 14 months and was under house arrest.

Modi and Amit Shah, India’s interior minister, met last week with pro-democracy leaders in Kashmir to present plans for new elections for the first time since the political reorganization. However, they did not commit to the calendar and said that there would be a process of redrawing the election map first.

India is under pressure to restore democracy in Kashmir back-channel conversations With Pakistan, to improve relations between the two nations, they have waged three wars in the region.

The Modi government is also facing increasing strategic pressures Assertive China and the immediate withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan.

Mufti appeared optimistic at the start of the process of improving conditions at last week’s meeting, however, with Indian authorities criticizing national security and anti-terrorism laws for suspending public discourse. Kashmir autonomy.

“We think they have done something that is illegal and unconstitutional, but you are also forbidden to talk about it,” he added.

Muftik said he asked Modi to give Kashmir “some breathing space” to express. “People are really feeling it itota“How long can people keep their anger inside? It can explode at any moment.”

Since taking control of the region, New Delhi has pushed for laws to make it easier for outsiders to get housing, get local government jobs, and buy property, Mufti said.

These changes, he added, led to fears that the government would change the demographic nature of Kashmir and reduce the indigenous population to a minority in their home state.

Mufti said New Delhi should stop imposing new laws on the territory until an elected government is elected.

“People are really scared,” he said. “There are all kinds of laws that empower the people of the state.”

Mufti also reaffirmed his commitment to restoring Kashmir’s political autonomy, believing it was “essential” to ensure the security of our resources, our jobs and, above all, our identity ”.