Irfan Tramboo
Srinagar, Aug 31: Member of Parliament and senior National Conference (NC) leader Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi today questioned the transfer of top police officers by the Election Commission of India (ECI), expressing concerns that it may have been done to favour a specific political party.
Addressing a press conference here, Ruhullah asked the ECI to explain why these transfers were made and why they were necessary, especially when one of the officers, the SSP of Baramulla, was shifted just 10 days ago.
“My party colleagues have expressed concerns regarding these transfers. We are seeking an explanation from the ECI about the need for this at this time. We saw the SSP of Baramulla posted just 10 days ago. If the posting was already made, what was the need for this change?” he questioned.
“According to my colleagues, the decision to carry out the change in just 10 days was made at the request of a specific party to favour them.”
The MP noted that before the ECI’s announcement of the elections, the NC had stated their desire for free and fair elections in J&K, and the same was conveyed to the ECI visiting team in Srinagar.
“We informed them that the elections were being held after a series of decisions that dented the people’s commitment in democracy and its functioning. To restore that faith, the conduct of these elections is crucial. We told them that no intervention should be made to tilt the situation in J&K in favour of a specific party,” he said.
Ruhullah emphasized that the change in the SSP of Baramulla in just 10 days is enough to raise concerns, and he urged the ECI to explain the reasoning behind it.
“NC being the biggest political party, we will play our role in the restoration of democracy, but we had sought a commitment that no such intervention would be made that would raise questions about the fairness of the elections in J&K. We want an answer, specifically regarding the posting of the SSP in Baramulla,” he said.
The NC leader stressed that the officers who have now been appointed are expected to carry out their duties without bias and to ensure that the elections are conducted in a free and fair manner.
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