Srinagar: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti staged a protest in Islamabad district of Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir against the detention of her party workers and polling agents by police ahead of the sixth phase of Indian parliamentary elections in the territory.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the sit-in protest, which was held outside the Bijbehara police station in the district, saw PDP supporters raising slogans against the IIOJK administration and demanding an end to the harassment of party workers and their immediate release. The protesters also blocked the Srinagar-Jammu highway in the Bijbehara area.
Reportedly, as the crowd grew at the protest site, Indian police resorted to lathicharge to disperse the protesters, injuring many of them.
Speaking to reporters on the occasion, Mehbooba Mufti, said that the territory’s administration was targeting and arresting her party workers and polling agents. Expressing her concerns, Mufti said, “PDP workers are being locked up in police stations without any reason. DG [Director General of Police], LG [Lieutenant Governor], all officials from top to bottom are involved in this. They have locked up PDP polling agents in police stations. Complaints are being received from places where efforts are being made to tamper the machines (EVMs).” “We are asking the reason but they are not saying anything”, she added.
She said this kind of rigging was witnessed in 1987. Mehbooba Mufti is contesting the election from the Islamabad-Rajouri constituency, polling for which in underway.
A protester, Yasmeen, said her husband is among those detained. “I am very worried since last night. My husband does not engage in any illegal activity and yet he has been detained”, she said.
On Friday, Mehbooba had written to the Election Commission of India, saying that PDP workers and polling agents were detained by police. Earlier on Saturday, Mehbooba said that outgoing calls on her mobile number have been suspended without any explanation.
In a related development, PDP leader Iltija Mufti said that polling was being deliberately slowed down at Khanabal booth in the constituency. Other PDP leaders also said voting was slowed down at other booths.
