Tough security advisory has been issued to all the political parties across Kashmir for holding or organizing public functions in view of the upcoming Lok Sabha polls commencing from April 11.Additional director general of police law and order security, Munir Khan said that advisory also includes dos and do not besides directions to the political parties that they should inform the concerned senior superintendents of police (SSPs) before holding any function or a rally.“Holding rallies the right of each candidate or the political party. We have asked them to take precautions in the form of an advisory,” Khan told KNO in an exclusive chat. The advisory comes at a time when political parties have started addressing rallies in the wake of Lok Sabha polls starting from April 11 in five phases. The advisory, sources said is to be followed in true letter and spirit and there will be no comprise with it.The Election Commission of India (ECI) headed by Sunil Arora, announced five-phased Lok Sabha polls in Jammu and Kashmir and the first phase will start on April 11 from north Kashmir parliamentary segment comprising three districts—Baramulla, Kupwara and Bandipora.
A source said that police has issued the advisory in written form to political parties, their heads, and candidates with similar copies to all the district SSPs across Kashmir. The political and parties intending to address public gathering have been asked to take adequate security cover up to the venue and back. In the restive South Kashmir, the police official said that there are many security concerns and political parties, their leaders and candidates have been requested to ensure “rallies are held in safe locations.”Sources privy to the advisory said politicians protected by special security group (SSG) guards must seek a security clearance from the director SSG before holding any rallies. “At times, politicians take a risk by holding rallies without getting security clearance from the concerned officers. It can pose a threat to their lives,” sources said.In the recent weeks, former Chief Ministers Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti have already started to reach out to the people in the northern districts of Baramulla to be followed in Kupwara and Bandipora.(KNO)