PDP youth wing chief arrested in terror case; Mufti says ‘falsely charged’

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Wednesday (November 25) arrested Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) youth wing president Waheed Ur Rehman Parra in connection with a terror case against suspended Jammu and Kashmir’s Deputy Superintendent of Police Davinder Singh.

Parra had recently filed his nomination for the District Development Council (DDC) elections from Pulwama in South Kashmir. He was being questioned at the NIA headquarters in Delhi since Monday for his alleged involvement with the Hizbul Mujahideen terror group.

“Today NIA arrested Waheed Ur Rehman Parra, the youth wing leader of People’s Democratic Party, in connection with the Naveed Babu-Davinder Singh case for supporting Hizbul Mujahideen in conspiracy with the other accused persons,” NIA’s spokesperson said.

Related News: Rahul hits out at NIA chief, says Davinder Singh issue is ‘as good as dead’

On January 11, Devinder was arrested along with Hizbul Mujahideen commander Syed Naveed Mushtaq alias Naveed Babu while travelling in a car.

In July, the NIA filed a chargesheet against six people, including Davinder for alleged terror activities in the country.

Besides Singh, the chargesheet named Naveed Babu as well as the Hizbul Mujahideen’s alleged overground worker Irfan Shafi Mir and its member Rafi Ahmad Rather. The other two named are Tanveer Ahmad Wani, a trader, and Naveed Babu’s brother Syed Irfan Ahmad, officials said.

Related News: NIA files chargesheet against suspended J&K cop Davinder Singh, 5 others

Condemning Para’s arrest, PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti said he was “falsely charged”.

“BJP milks illegal scrapping of Article 370 in every nook & corner of the country. But when it comes to Kashmiris questioning its abrogation they are locked up & punished. Everyone knows at whose behest Devinder Singh worked for. Ironic that they have the gall to blame others,” the former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister tweeted.

“Waheed has no connection whatsoever with this man & is being falsely charged. All just to blackmail & intimidate PDP & other mainstream political parties in J&K (sic),” she wrote in another tweet.

Waheed has no connection whatsoever with this man & is being falsely charged. All just to blackmail & intimidate PDP & other mainstream political parties in J&K.

— Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) November 25, 2020

Sharing a video, Mufti wrote, “PDP’s @parawahid applauded by then HM @rajnathsingh for strengthening democracy in J&K has been arrested on baseless charges by NIA today. No coincidence that he filed his nomination for DDC on 20th Nov & received NIA summons next day itself.”

“Waheed was illegally arrested for more than a year in 2019. Yet his belief in democracy didn’t waver & he chose to contest DDC elections. Seems like those who place their faith in the power of democracy will earn the wrath of a hostile & communal government,” she said.

Waheed was illegally arrested for more than a year in 2019. Yet his belief in democracy didn’t waver & he chose to contest DDC elections. Seems like those who place their faith in the power of democracy will earn the wrath of a hostile & communal government.

— Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) November 25, 2020

“I can personally vouch for Waheed’s integrity, honesty & character. Its upto the judiciary now to dispense justice & ensure @parawahid is released at the earliest,” she added.

Gujarat model of persecuting Muslims is in full swing since August 2019 in J&K. This is the Naya Kashmir they want us to live in.

— Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) November 25, 2020

On Monday, before leaving for Delhi, Parra told The Indian Express, “Political engagement has been initiated and elections have been announced. I have been actively engaging on the ground and assisting the party in bringing suitable candidates for these elections. And today, I have been sent a notice, asking me to come to Delhi for questioning… The motivation for this is political.”