PDP delegation denied permission to visit Mehbooba Mufti

“Despite repeated attempts, the officials have failed to respond,’’ he said, adding that no official communication was received back. “We have though been unofficially told that permission at this stage will not be granted,’’ PDP leader added.

Mahajan had on Monday written to the administration asking it to allow a party delegation of former legislators and senior leaders to meet Mehbooba Mufti who is under continuous detention following abrogation of Article 370 and bifurcation of state into two Union Territories. “The composition of delegation will be communicated once the permission is granted,’’ he had added.

Earlier on October 6, the administration had permitted a 16-member PDP delegation comprising senior party leaders and former legislators to meet former chief minister in Srinagar next day. However, the PDP leaders had cancelled their proposed visit after Mehbooba Mufti asked them to defer it for the time being.

However, National Conference provincial president Devender Rana, along with a 14-member delegation had met senior party leaders and former CMs, Farooq Abdullah and Omar Abdullah, in detention in Srinagar early this month. On their return to Jammu, Rana had said that “ both our leaders are well and in high spirits’’.

Nearly a dozen PDP, NC and Congress leaders in Jammu were allowed to come out of their houses on October 2, nearly two months after they were compelled to stay indoors by the administration following Central government’s move to remove Article 370 on August 5.