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The Jammu and Kashmir governor’s administration has withdrawn security cover of more than 700 mainstream political leaders, former ministers and former legislators.
The three major political parties in the Valley – the National Conference, People’s Democratic Party and Congress – have called the step a “sinister plan” to “incapacitate the entire Opposition during the election process,” reported The Indian Express.
According to the report, a top Election Commission official confirmed that the poll panel has received complaints from these three parties.
The official added that if EC finds out that there is an attempt to sabotage the election process by withdrawing security of members of political parties, necessary action will be taken.
Direction has been issued by the government that if officers who have been asked to withdraw from guard or personal security duties do not report back, their salary will be deducted, the report added.
This list has 96 leaders and workers of Congress, 78 of National Conference, 66 of BJP, 26 of PDP, 13 of CPI(M), seven of Peoples Democratic Front, five of Awami League, two of Peoples Conference and other parties.
He added that the governor’s assurance meant nothing.
Sources told The Indian Express that National Conference has “strongly objected to the role of the Chief Secretary in over-ruling the dissent put forth by the J&K Police’s CID and IB in the security review meeting”.
ADG Security Muneer Khan said that the list has names from every political party and there has been no bias. When asked about the political parties’ petition to EC, he said, “We will respond to them.”
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