SRINAGAR: Following the statement made by Aga Ruhullah Mehdi, the National Conference candidate for the Srinagar Lok Sabha constituency, alleging that their party workers have been detained by the police since yesterday, similar claims have been made by the Peoples Democratic Party and Jammu Kashmir Apni Party, asserting that their candidates are also being targeted by law enforcement authorities.
The PDP candidate for Srinagar Parliamentary Constituency, Waheed Parra in a post on “X’ said that “In the past, Kashmir has experienced boycotts at the behest of separatists. Today, we’re witnessing a similar scenario, with an IPS officer of ADGP rank, Mr Vijay Kumar, allegedly directing officials to minimise voter turnout by detaining, harassing our workers”
“Such actions serve the interests of anti national elements, not India. We’re reaching out to the Election Commission of India (ECI) to urgently address and relocate the official from his sensitive position,” he said.
Meanwhile, Apni Party President Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari expressed serious concern over the arrest spree of party workers and agents ahead of polling, and termed it a blatant attempt to manipulate elections.
He appealed Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha to intervene in the matter and pave the way for free and fair elections so that democracy will flourish in the region.
Speaking to media persons here in Srinagar, Bukhari accused National Conference and PDP for having hand in glove with the administration and harassing workers and agents of rival political parties. He said NC and PDP have deep connections in the administration who on the behest of influential officials are curtailing the level playing field to other parties.
“The police have arrested thousands of workers in various parts of Srinagar, Budgam, Pulwama and Shopian. This ongoing arrest spree seemingly has been made at the behest of parties like NC and PDP who are the cronies of the powers in New Delhi,” Bukhari told reporters.
He appealed Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha to intervene in the matter and stop the ongoing arrest spree besides ensuring early release of arrested workers and agents.
Earlier party General Secretary Rafi Ahmad Mir in a statement cautioned that if the party workers are not released immediately, the Apni Party may choose to boycott the elections. He said, “The democratic process should be free and fair. The arrest of party workers mere hours before the polls suggests a blatant attempt to manipulate and rig the elections against the Apni Party. We will not tolerate this injustice, and boycott the polls.”
Aga Ruhullah Mehdi said that: “Our workers have been being picked up by the police since yesterday. I got a call from a senior colleague like A R Rather sb informing me about the arrests of our workers from Chrarsharif. Similar calls from the colleagues from Khansahab and Chadoora. Would the @ECISVEEP please care to explain these arrests”
Meanwhile, the J&K chief electoral officer office in a statement said that “On social media, there have been some grievances of alleged intimidation of political workers of certain parties and the use of Section 144 Order”
It said that the Election Commission of India has taken cognizance of the matter. “The CEO has talked personally to Political leaders. He has clarified that as per rules, order under section 144 are issued in all Districts, for the last 48 hours (silence period of campaigning) and accordingly these orders were issued in Udhampur and Jammu Parliamentary Constituency and are now issued for all Districts of Srinagar Parliamentary Constituency, including Pulwama,” it added.
“As far as permission for rallies and political meetings is concerned, during the entire period under the Model Code of Conduct, which starts with the announcement of elections by the ECI, specific permissions from the concerned authorities are mandatory. These permissions are being issued without any discrimination and in an online mode through the centralised ‘Suvidha Portal’.. Candidates are advised to consider the security concerns of specific areas,” it added.
