October 03
The Relatives of BJP Candidates from Pahalgam constituency on Wednesday protested in courtyard of DC office Anantnag alleging that candidates have been ‘abducted by police’ on the behest of BJP MLC Mohd Yousuf Sofi ‘fearing withdrawal from polls’.
Various relatives of the candidates shouted anti BJP slogans and said that their relatives were ‘forced to submit forms to fight panchayat polls’.
“Our families rejected their panchayat poll participation and so they were to withdraw forms today but yesterday they were called to come to police station,” a relative said, adding that they were told that they have to put their signatures on paper for withdrawal in presence of high police officials.
They said that at Police station they were told to leave the premises and their relative were bundled in police gypsy so that ‘they are not able to withdraw from polls as today is the last day for that.
BJP MLC Mohd Yousuf Sofi however denied allegations claiming that more than hundred candidates were asked to come to police line were they have been put for security reasons.
“May be police has some inputs about Jaish e Mohammad threats to them, and to assure their safety they might have kept them with themselves. Many candidates are in hotels, some in Dak Bunglow,” Sofi said.
He however blamed National Conference, and Peoples democratic party for creating trouble in the Kashmir valley