Srinagar: The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the National Conference (NC), have accused the Jammu and Kashmir administration of “ bias” and “unjust crackdown on party activists”. As per them, the arrests were made a few days ahead of the Srinagar Lok Sabha election.
However, police have said that statements and speculations of political parties suggesting that Police has been harassing their party workers in different ways at the behest of the other is without basis.
Taking on to social media platform X, the police said, “Statements and speculations of political parties suggesting that Police has been harassing their party workers in different ways at the behest of the other is without basis.”
J&K Police is committed to enforcing the law and the MCC guidelines pertaining to security in furtherance of free and fair elections.
The post further stated that there have been actions regardless of party affiliation pertaining to violations such as seizure of cash, narcotics, liquor and preventive actions against miscreants and potential offenders with a background of linkages to militancy and separatism.
On Sunday, National Conference candidate for the Srinagar Lok Sabha constituency Aga Ruhullah Mehdi on Sunday demanded immediate release of workers of his party and rival PDP who he claimed have been arrested ahead of the polling.
“Our workers are 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,” Mehdi, an influential Shia leader, posted on X. He called for immediate release of his party workers and also those of the PDP.
PDP leader Firdous Tak also took to social media, calling for an end to the alleged arrests and ‘harassment’ of his party workers.
PDP candidate for Srinagar Lok Sabha seat Waheed Para on Saturday alleged that some officials in the Jammu and Kashmir administration were trying to ‘manipulate’ the Lok Sabha polls.
Apni Party President Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari also expressed serious concern over arrests. He appealed Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha to intervene into the matter.
