Former chief minister and PDP president Mehbooba Mufti on Friday asked the Army to investigate allegations that soldiers were forcing youngsters in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kulgam district to work as “bonded labourers.”
She said a new Army camp was set up at Manzgam village which is home to a Muslim shrine and a Hindu temple.
“Manzgam home to the shrine of Baba Qayaam Din & temple of Ragniya Devi both situated adjacent to each other hold immense religious significance. Unfortunately since May 2025 the Army has started establishing a camp here. There are legitimate & growing concerns as well as allegations that young men from Manzgam and the surrounding villages are being forcibly taken to these camps as bonded labourers, “she said in a post on X.
” Additionally reports suggest that private vehicles are being coercively requisitioned by the Army for their use,” she said.
“Urgently request the Corps Commander Srinagar to look into these serious allegations & ensure that fundamental rights and the dignity of local civilians are upheld,” she added.
Srinagar-based defence spokesman didn’t respond to the allegations levelled by Mehbooba.
