Police scuttling our rallies, claims Omar Abdullah; Sajad Lone tells him to ‘stop being a cry baby’

“It is submitted to this Hon’ble Commission that the decision to cancel these permissions is not only arbitrary but also a blatant and egregious attempt to surreptitiously disadvantage the JKNC as compared with other political parties,” former Chief Minister and National Conference candidate for Baramulla Omar Abdullah said in his complaint to the EC. “It is unconscionable that while some political parties enjoy unfettered access and support from the administration, JKNC is subjected to constant obstruction and harassment. This selective targeting is not only undemocratic but also grossly violative of our fundamental rights”.

In an order to the Additional District Magistrate Baramulla, Superintendent of Police Sopore Divya D has asked NC and Peoples Conference to reschedule poll activities in jurisdiction of Sopore police district. While no reason has been given in the official letter for asking reschedule of rallies, sources say it has been done for “security reasons”. Of the four poll activities asked to be rescheduled, three are of National Conference and one of Peoples Conference.

Abdullah has sought the intervention of the EC to “rectify the injustice” and ensure that all political parties are treated equally.

Security concerns: EC

Responding to Abdullah’s complaint to EC , the District Election Officer Baramulla said that all decisions regarding permissions to political parties are made with due consideration to security advisories and after consultaion with relevan authorities. “The rescheduling of political events on May 9, 2024, was necessitated by credible security concerns, as advised by SSP Sopore,” the District Election Officer said in an official release.

BJP rally in Chanapora

Meanwhile, BJP’s Srinagar District unit organised a roadshow-cum-rally in Chanapora constituency, starting from Jawahar nagar, Srinagar, and culminated at Rawathpora, Barzulla, Srinagar.