NC MP Mehdi questions poll panel over transfer of senior police officers in Valley
Srinagar, August 31
A day after the J&K Home Department ordered shifting of seven police officers in Kashmir Valley, including posting new police heads in four districts, the National Conference on Saturday raised objection over the move and sought explanation from the Election Commission.
Addressing a press conference in Srinagar, NC leader and Srinagar MP Ruhullah Mehdi said some of his party leaders have apprehensions about the transfers and EC must tell the intent behind these transfers.
“When the poll panel team visited J&K before the announcement of elections, we had made it clear that we want free and fair elections. We wanted a level-playing field and told them that there should be no imbalance in government machinery that could reflect prejudice or bias,” Mehdi said addressing a press conference here.
Mehdi said Baramulla SSP was appointed 10 days ago, but in the Friday’s list, a new SSP was posted in the district. “He was posted just 10 days ago, Why was he changed yesterday. My colleagues have an apprehension that this was perhaps done at the request of a particular political party or to benefit one,” he said, adding that the party “wants to know the intention behind these postings.”
According to UT’s Home Department, which transferred seven police officers, Imtiyaz Hussain Mir has been appointed as the SSP of Srinagar, Mohammad Zaid as the SSP of Baramulla, Ghulam Jeelani as the SSP of Kupwara and Ifroz Ahmad as the SP of Handwara.
Noting that the party had sought a commitment from the EC that “no intervention should take place, which could create doubts,” he said the party had told EC that here should be no such intervention which could create and imbalance in the elections.
He said the NC was expecting the newly posted officers would not show any bias or favour any party.\
Who will benefit?
The Baramulla SSP was posted there just 10 days ago. Why was he changed yesterday? My colleagues fear this was done at the behest of a particular party. — Ruhullah Mehdi, NC MP from Srinagar
