Kashmir MP Syed Aga Ruhullah Mehdi Condemns Sweeping Raids and Collective Punishment in Kashmir

Srinagar: In a powerful statement on social media, Member of Parliament (MP) from Srinagar, Syed Aga Ruhullah Mehdi, has condemned recent security operations in Kashmir, particularly the ongoing nocturnal raids by the Special Operations Group (SOG). The raids, which reportedly led to the rounding up of over 500 individuals, have sparked widespread fear and concern among residents of the region.

While Mehdi expressed unequivocal condemnation for the attack on a Territorial Army soldier and his family, calling violence against women and children “abhorrent,” he was particularly vocal in denouncing the broader security strategy being employed by authorities. He described the crackdown as a form of collective retribution, where entire communities are being punished for the actions of a few. Mehdi stressed that such actions are not counterterrorism but a form of punitive exile and collective punishment.

Highlighting the opaque nature of the security operations, Mehdi emphasized the terror experienced by families whose loved ones have disappeared into the security system, with no clear legal recourse or information about their fate. “This is not security. This is punishment by exile,” Mehdi stated, criticizing the lack of transparency and the ongoing erosion of civil liberties in the region.

The MP also called for a reevaluation of the language used in official discourse regarding security operations, pointing out the vagueness of terms such as “OGWs” (Over Ground Workers) and “Hybrid Militants,” which he described as legally unsound justifications for human rights violations. He urged the central and regional governments to arrive at a common understanding when it comes to operations in Kashmir, stressing that vague labels should not be used as a cover for abuses.

In his statement, Mehdi also reminded those in power that no regime has successfully governed by fostering fear and resentment among its population. He warned that the legitimacy of any government ruling through repression was in jeopardy, highlighting that a true democracy is not one where people live in fear, but one where dialogue and engagement prevail. “If your idea of democracy is a valley silenced by fear rather than engaged in dialogue, then your democracy lies in darkness,” he concluded.

The MP’s remarks come amid heightened tensions in Kashmir, where the security situation remains fragile. The latest series of raids and arrests have drawn international attention, with calls from human rights groups for greater transparency and accountability in the region’s security operations.