'Officers backing early Assembly polls harassed in J&K'

Former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir and National Conference (NC) leader, Omar Abdullah on Monday alleged that officers favouring early Assembly elections in the state were being browbeaten and threatened.

“I’m shocked to hear how officers who have supported early assembly elections are being browbeaten & threatened using their performance appraisals against them to get them to toe the line (sic),” he tweeted.

In another tweet, the former CM said, “One day we will talk about the cabal of officers in J&K who for their own selfish reasons have taken it upon themselves to scuttle democracy in the state.”

The former chief minister said that no honest officer should fear these threats and those making threats will not remain in the state for very long.

"No honest officer should fear these threats. We must put the greater good ahead of our personal preferences and benefits. Those people making the threats will not remain in the state for very long,” he added.

All mainstream parties in the state except the BJP favour simultaneous Assembly and Lok Sabha polls. To re-assess the ground situation, three observers appointed by the Election Commission completed their two-day visit to the state.

The observers would submit their report to the Election Commission so that a final call is taken on holding the Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir.