Security arrangements for ULB polls reviewed in Kashmir

With the first phase of the urban local bodies (ULB) elections in Jammu and Kashmir ensuing soon, a high-level security meeting was held in Srinagar to discuss security arrangements for free, fair and peaceful polls in the state.

Sources said that the meeting was presided over by Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir and IG Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), and was held at the Police Control Room (PCR) in Srinagar. “The focus of the meeting was to ensure violence-free polling in the first phase of the ULB polls on October 8. The meeting also discussed prevailing security situation in the Valley,” they said.

Sources said measures for providing security to the contesting candidates besides protection of polling booths and election staff were discussed threadbare in the meeting. “The threat perception to 30 candidates contesting the polls, whose names were released on social media by accounts associated with militant outfit Hizbul Mujahideen on Tuesday, was also discussed,” they said.

The four-phase ULB elections will be held on October 8, 10, 13 and 16, while the nine-phase panchayat polls are due on November 17, 20, 24, 27, 29 and December 1, 4, 8 and 11. The Centre has deputed 400 additional companies of security forces for holding violence-free elections.

The list doing the rounds on social media names 17 Congress and 13 BJP candidates. Besides, it also has the details of the candidates' family, residence, ward numbers from which nominations have been filed and the respective party.

Meanwhile, separatists have called for a shutdown in Kashmir on October 8 to protest against the commencement of the municipal elections. They have also asked the people to observe subsequent protest shutdowns in their own respective areas as per the poll schedule on October 10, 13 and 16 and “show their complete disassociation and resentment against it.”

While separatists have appealed to the people to boycott these elections, regional mainstream parties - National Conference and Peoples Democratic Party - have decided to stay away from the poll process.

The militant outfit Hizbul Mujahideen has issued a strong warning to those participating in the polls, asking them to get shrouds along with the election forms.

Due to the boycott calls and militant threats, for 177 municipal wards out of a total 624 in Kashmir, no candidate has filed nomination papers. And 215 wards will return their representative unopposed.