Senior National Conference leader and Lok Sabha member from Srinagar Aga Ruhullah on Saturday urged Election Commission of India to clarify the reasons for the recent transfers of senior police officials in Kashmir when the Model Code of Conduct is in place as it has triggered apprehensions about the transparency of the election process.
Ruhullah during an interaction here in Srinagar alleged that there are reports that these transfers have been done at the behest of a certain political party, which makes the whole election exercise vulnerable to tampering.
“We have written to the ECI about our apprehensions regarding the recent transfer of SSPs in Kashmir when the election process is going on and MCC is in place,” said Ruhullah, adding, “Our information is that it is being done at the behest of a particular political party, which is against the promise of ensuring the free and fair election.” The ECI through its order on August 30, approved the appointment of Mohd Zaid as SSP Baramulla, Ghulam Jeelani Wani as SSP Kupwara, Ifroze Ahmad as SSP Handwara and Imtiyaz Hussain as SSP Srinagar.
“SSP Baramulla was transferred just ten days after he joined the office. What is the intent and reason for this transfer? If these new officers have been posted at the behest of a political party then there is a lingering fear of tampering with the electoral process,” said Ruhullah.
The NC leader said that the ECI has committed to us that they will ensure free and fair elections but such action just creates doubt in the minds of the people and political parties, who are at the core of this democratic exercise.
Ruhullah said that NC is committed to the resolution of the Kashmir issue and will continue its political and legislative struggle peacefully. “We want the resolution of the unresolved Kashmir issue. Our manifesto says autonomy is the resolution of the Kashmir issue and restoration of Article 370 is a first step in that direction. Through this assembly we will start the struggle to get back what we lost, be it Article 370 or autonomy,” said Ruhullah.
The NC leader further said J&K will suffer till the time India and Pakistan won’t come to the table and resolve the Kashmir issue permanently. “Irrespective of the fact whether Pakistan is weak or strong, there has to be a dialogue between the two countries for permanent settlement of the Kashmir issue and people of J&K have to be part of this process,” said Ruhullah.
This story was originally published in economictimes.indiatimes.com.
