JAMMU JULY 31 (KNS): Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and President of the Jammu & Kashmir Peoples Democratic Party (JKPDP), Mehbooba Mufti, on Thursday visited the residence of 21-year-old Parvez Ahmed in Nikki Tawi, Jammu. Parvez, a Gujjar youth, was killed in a reported staged police encounter on July 24, 2025, 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 criticized the ongoing atrocities against the nomadic tribes, stating that despite the installation of an elected government under Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, their suffering continues unchecked.

In a Statement issued, Mufti 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. Mufti assured the family of full support from the JKPDP and warned that such actions only widen the trust deficit in democratic institutions.

The killing of Parvez Ahmed is not an isolated incident. Over the past year, the Gujjar-Bakerwal community has witnessed a series of suspicious deaths. In February 2025, 25-year-old Makhan Din from Kathua Bhilawar reportedly died by suicide after recording a video alleging torture by security forces—allegations denied by police. In March, three Gujjar youths from Kulgam—Showkat Ahmad Bhajad, Riyaz Ahmad Bhajad, and Mukhtar Ahmad Awan—were found dead in the Vishaw River. Their families allege torture, contradicting the official account of accidental drowning.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel

In April 2025, Altaf Hussain Lali from Bandipora, accused of being an OGW (overground worker), was reportedly killed in a staged encounter. On May 4, 2025, Imtiyaz Ahmad Magray from Tangmarg, Kulgam, allegedly jumped into the Vishaw Nallah during a search operation, though locals claim he was already in army custody before the incident. Separately, Manzoor Ahmad Tedwa from Marhwa, Kishtawar, has been missing from his grazing lands for two months without any breakthrough. Muddasir Ahmad Dhakad, a madrasa student from Devsar, Kulgam, has been untraceable since June 22, 2025.

Mufti also highlighted the plight of Gujjar-Bakerwal families 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. She recalled the 2018 Kathua rape-and-murder case of an 8-year-old Bakerwal girl, noting how the communal support extended to the accused had left deep scars in the community’s psyche.

“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 told reporters.

Thousands of Gujjar-Bakerwal community members have reportedly been detained by Kathua and Samba police in recent months and released only after no evidence was found, further deepening community distrust.

Mufti’s remarks mark a sharp political rebuke of the current administration and reflect growing unrest among the tribal population in Jammu and Kashmir. (KNS)