Srinagar: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti on Thursday released the first issue of the party’s internal newsletter ‘Speak Up’.
It was released at Mufti’s residence in the presence of senior PDP leaders Naeem Akhtar, Abdul Rehman Veeri and Ghulam Nabi Lone.
The newsletter seeks to reach out to the PDP cadre about the party’s stand on the current situation and political issues of Jammu and Kashmir.
“A little over two years have passed since Jammu and Kashmir was stripped of its special status. Since then, every decision taken by the current government has been with the sole aim of collective punishment and humiliation of Kashmiris,” the editorial of the newsletter read.
“Our economy lies in tatters, the security situation is grim and the pervasive feeling of disquiet, and anger simmers,” it read.
In ordinary circumstances there would have been an outrage but these are no ordinary times, the editorial read.
“Dissent has been criminalised. Jammu and Kashmir has been turned into an open air prison. This period has also been marked by a steep decline in press freedom and journalists have been threatened with anti- terrorist laws,” it added.
The editorial said that one is not punished for breaking the law but stating the “inconvenient truth”.
“It is, therefore, imperative that we continue raising our voice,” it read.
