"Gandhi saw a ray of hope in Kashmir, now it is viewed through lens of criminals": Mehbooba Mufti

Anantnag (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], October 2 (ANI): Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti on Thursday remembered Mahatma Gandhi on his birth anniversary and said that he saw a "ray of hope in Kashmir" but under the current dispensation, it is being viewed through the "lens of criminals".
Speaking to reporters, the PDP chief said, "People in Kashmir are being considered anti-nationals. The home of Syed Ali Shah Geelani, who is no more in this world, has been sealed, the same home where his widowed wife lives. You can have differences with the ideology of Geelani; in a similar manner, we have differences with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh."
The former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister pointed out that while the Centre has engaged in dialogue with protestors in Ladakh, it treats protestors in the Valley differently.
"Whatever happened in Ladakh is very bad, and now the situation is being resolved through talks, even in Gaza, issues are being resolved through talks, but here people are labelled as militants and their properties are being seized," she said.
Meanwhile, the Ladakh administration has announced a magisterial inquiry into the September 24 violence in Leh and the police action, which left four people dead.
The inquiry will probe the causes of the clashes, identify those responsible, and examine the handling of the situation by law enforcement agencies.
Officials have assured that the probe will be conducted in a time-bound manner to ensure accountability and restore public confidence amid the ongoing tensions in the region.
The inquiry report will be submitted within four weeks of the order. The administration has asked individuals with information regarding the incident to submit a statement or evidence voluntarily to the inquiry officer between October 4 and 18. (ANI)