Mehbooba Mufti, Omar Abdullah allege crackdown on party workers

People's Democratic Party chief Mehbooba Mufti and National Conference leader Omar Abdullah on May 13 said that their party workers are being illegally arrested. In a letter to the Election Commission of India, Mehbooba Mufti urged to stop alleged harassment of the party workers.

NC leader Omar Abdullah while speaking to the news agency ANI said that they gave the names of the detained workers and police stations. Omar further said, "It was not an exhaustive list but an indicative list. Polling agents were frightened."

In the letter to ECI, Mufti wrote, "It has come to my attention that the state administration, under the control of the Union government, is shamelessly engaged in activities aimed at intimidating voters and supporters of the People's Democratic Party. I am deeply troubled by reports of security agencies conducting raids and harassing PDP workers in the Pulwama and Shopian districts. Numerous party members, sympathizers, and activists have been arbitrarily detained without justification, apparently as punishment for their efforts to organize public rallies and encourage voter turnout."

PDP chief also said that the imposition of Section 144 of the CrPC, prohibiting the assembly of people in areas witnessing high political activities, is shocking and deeply concerning.

Voting for the Udhampur and Jammu seats took place on April 19 and 26. Polling in Srinagar is taking place today May 13. Baramulla seat will vote on May 20 and the Anantnag-Rajouri seat will go to polls on May 25.

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