Srinagar, May 20: Ahead of general elections in Anantnag-Rajouri parliamentary constituency, a former legislator and PDP leader wrote to the J&K Director General of Police on Monday, seeking a level playing field.
The Anantnag-Rajouri seat is going to polls on May 20.
The party alleged that police have created a sense of terror in South Kashmir, restricting the movement of political personnel ahead of general elections on Anantnag-Rajouri parliamentary constituency.
In a letter addressed to Director General of Police, R R Swain, and copied to Election Commission of India and other officials of election department, former legislator and member of party's Political Affairs Committee, Firdous Tak, alleged that his party leaders are not being allowed to campaign and are instead harassed by the police officials in South Kashmir.
“Over the past few days, I have been in Anantnag district, South Kashmir, for the campaigning process for the People's Democratic Party (PDP). However, I am writing to you with great displeasure and grief that the police department has been exerting tremendous pressure on our campaign, resorting to harassment, and creating significant obstacles,” Tak said.
He claimed that while certain political organisations, which claim close ties to the ruling dispensation in New Delhi, are being given a free hand, leaders in PDP are being denied permission to campaign, denied free movement, and even subjected to harassment and threats.
“Elections should be a celebration of democracy, encouraging active participation from the populace. Contrary to this ideal, there is a pervasive sense of terror and insecurity, seemingly propagated by your department. Our workers and supporters are not only being harassed, but those of us assigned by the party to campaign are subjected to humiliation, restrictions, and further harassment. The actions of the police administration seem focused on denying a level playing field to the PDP rather than maintaining security,” the letter reads.
The former legislator said that while the Union government has repeatedly claimed that Jammu and Kashmir is experiencing a peaceful and terror-free situation, “the situation was starkly contradictory on the ground.”
“In light of these issues, I urge you to intervene and direct the police administration in this parliamentary constituency to ensure that all political parties, including the PDP, are allowed to reach out to voters without undue hindrance.”
He said that it was crucial that security and stability are maintained and all candidates are given equal opportunities to campaign freely and fairly before the polling day.
