SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (NC) candidate for the 86-Budhal Assembly constituency, Javed Iqbal Choudhary, has made an urgent appeal highlighting serious security concerns affecting his election campaign. The appeal focuses on the recent withdrawal of security for Baji Mian Mohammad Aslam, a key campaigner and long-time supporter of the NC.
I have declined to accept the election security cover in protest against Rajouri Police's highly biased & prejudiced action of withdrawing securing cover of our top campaigner Baji Mian Mohammad Aslam Sahab. Copy of my letter to EC @ECISVEEP @ceo_UTJK @dmrajouri @RAJOURIPOLICE pic.twitter.com/46zB8Z73GX
— Javed Choudhary (@javed_24) September 6, 2024
According to Choudhary, the withdrawal came after Aslam refused to support the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) following threats. Aslam, who has been under police protection since 1999 due to his assistance to security forces, was reportedly pressured to join the BJP. “When he joined the NC in August, his security was abruptly removed, leaving him vulnerable in a region prone to militant activity.”
Choudhary, has refused to accept his own security cover until Aslam’s security is restored. He claims that despite raising the issue with the Deputy Commissioner, Deputy Inspector General, and Senior Superintendent of Police in Rajouri, no concrete action has been taken to reinstate Aslam’s security.
In a letter to the Returning Officer (RO) of Budhal-86 Assembly constituency, Choudhary accused the BJP of orchestrating the withdrawal of Aslam’s security to undermine his campaign.
“If anything adverse happens to Baji Mian Muhammad Aslam and other persons, for whom security has been demanded, the district police Rajouri and district election authorities will be responsible,” he said.
He added, “Until the restoration of pre ante security cover of Baji Mian Muhammad Aslam, deployment of additional security with him during the election period and security arrangement of my other main campaigners. I can’t accept security cover for myself.”
