Srinagar, May 12 – The Jammu and Kashmir Police today firmly rejected allegations from political parties of harassing their workers at the behest of rivals, stating that such claims are “without basis.”
In a tweet, the J&K Police said it is committed to enforcing the law and Model Code of Conduct guidelines pertaining to security to ensure free and fair elections. The police stated that any actions taken, such as seizures of cash, narcotics, liquor, and preventive detention of potential offenders linked to terrorism and separatism, were regardless of party affiliation.
“J&K Police and its leadership is resolved to secure candidates and political workers, their places of stay, political rallies, roadshows irrespective of which party one belongs to, as it considers elections as sacrosanct and all players participating in it are therefore equally sacred,” the tweet said.
The police force acknowledged that while it faces a “common adversary” with political parties, criticism from them is accepted as an occupational hazard. However, it cautioned against speculative statements targeting individual officers, which could expose them to security risks as seen in the past incidents.
Reiterating its dedication to impartial law enforcement, J&K Police vowed to ensure all participants have a level playing field as the region prepares for upcoming elections. Political parties have been urged to cooperate with the security apparatus to facilitate a peaceful democratic exercise.
