Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Sept 7: In a dramatic turn of events, six councillors have submitted their resignations to the Director of Urban Local Bodies, citing alleged mistreatment during a visit by Lieutenant Governor (LG) Manoj Sinha to Sopore.
The councillors allege that despite being elected representatives, they were not allowed to attend the event, sparking a wave of indignation among them. During a press conference held in Sopore, the aggrieved councillors expressed their dismay at being barred from the function, which they deemed disrespectful and humiliating.
They recounted how their efforts to access the event were thwarted by security personnel due to their lack of passes from the district administration. “You cannot equate us with the general public. We have been elected through a democratic process, and if our treatment as elected representatives continues like this, it calls into question the entire concept of a three-tier democratic system, the Panchayati Raj Act, and grassroots democracy,” said Irfan Ali, one of the councillors.
Ali highlighted that such mistreatment has been an ongoing issue since the council’s inception. “The six of us councillors are resigning because we will not tolerate humiliation and disrespect. If the administration wishes to run a one-man show, they do not need us,” he said. Ali also disclosed his attempts to communicate with the Additional Deputy Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner but claimed that his calls were ignored.
Abdul Ahad, another councillor, pointed out the sacrifices made by elected representatives during the elections, which took place in challenging circumstances when militancy was at its peak. “We appreciate the LG’s presence here, but we were unjustly denied the opportunity to interact with him. Whether the Deputy Commissioner or any other official was responsible, we had the right to speak with him. Unfortunately, the gates were closed to us, citing a lack of permission from the Deputy Commissioner,” he said.
The councillors raised questions about the motivation behind this exclusion, echoing LG Manoj Sinha’s recent statement that those who speak the truth will be encouraged. “We have tirelessly worked for the welfare of the people, and yet we have been disrespected. Was our exclusion an attempt to stifle the truth?” questioned one councillor.
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