SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir Lt Governor Manoj Sinha has assured political parties of smooth campaign for the upcoming local body elections and said the polls would go a long way in strengthening panchayati raj institutions in the Union Territory.

Responding to a letter by CPI(M) leader Mohammed Yusuf Tarigami who had raised the issue of candidates being kept away from their constituencies and not being allowed to campaign, Sinha said he has taken note of the concerns and conveyed “necessary instructions”.

Tarigami, a former MLA from the militancy-hit Kulgam district of south Kashmir, had informed the Lt Governor that after filing their nomination papers, the candidates were not allowed to campaign due to “perceived threat to their lives” and had been bundled in “cluster accommodation”.

“Confining candidates against their wishes has severely restricted their movement and ability to campaign. Even in some cases, they are not allowed to attend party meetings,” the letter said.

Tarigami said that there had been instances that rival candidates were sent in the same vehicle and asked to campaign together.

“Several candidates from far-off places were sent to hotels in Srinagar soon after they filed the nomination forms last week. Not just the voters, but the families of the candidates are also concerned,” he said.

In his response, the Lt Governor said, “I am sure that the coming elections will go a long way in strengthening the Panchayati Raj Institutions.”

Tarigami released the Lt Governor’s letter.

The former MLA said such arrangements were a big concern and there was a lot of dissatisfaction on ground over it.

“Who wins and who loses, the decision must lie on the electorate. Democracy must finally win. For that the process must be made secure and credible. It is advisable not to put avoidable restrictions on the contesting candidates and instead their legitimate movement for the campaigning in their respective areas must be effectively facilitated,” he said.

The CPI(M) is part of the newly formed People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD) which comprises the National Conference, the PDP and four other local parties.

The PAGD was formed to work for the restoration of the special status of the erstwhile state democratic and legally.

The Jammu and Kashmir will go for an eight-phase District Development Council elections beginning November 28. (AGENCIES)

SRINAGAR: Claiming that the matter involving revocation of Article 370 is not sub-judice in the Supreme Court (SC), Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) National spokesperson Syed Shahnawaz Hussain on Friday said that no power on earth can bring it back.

The BJP spokesperson -who is in Kashmir valley to campaign for his party candidates, contesting in the upcoming District Development Council (DDC) elections — said this while addressing a press conference in the summer capital.

“The matter pertaining to revocation of Article 370 is not sub judice. If someone goes to the court against my press conference, will it be banned? Article 370 will not be restored? no power on earth can bring it back. I want to say this especially to the youth that Article 370 is now buried for good and can never be revived again,” he said while answering a question.

He said Article 370 was a big blockage in the development of J&K and now nothing can stop the Union Territory from reaching its true potential.

The senior BJP leader further said that the people of J&K have full faith in Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his ‘Sabka Sath, Sabka Vikas’ mantra.

Hitting out at Peoples Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD), he said other parties in J&K are representative of nepotism and work for the promotion of their families.

However, he said BJP represents the common man of J&K and works for the poor and the downtrodden. “Development is our only agenda and people will support us for a prosperous J&K,” he added.

Alleging that the Congress is scared of BJP, he said the party is still in an alliance with the PAGD behind the curtains. “Congress leaders have had sleepless nights due to PM Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah. It was only after Mr Shah exposed that Congress was a part of the Gupkar gang, they distanced themselves from the alliance,” he said.

“Congress was part of Gupkar alliance in secrecy and when we exposed them, they claimed that they had nothing to do with it?. Because they (Congress) feel if it remains a part of Gupkar Alliance its name will be changed from ‘Congress I’ to ‘Congress Gupkar’ and they will have to answer the people in rest of the country. Congress has taken a step back in fear of repercussions,” he said. (AGENCIES)

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday held a review meeting with the top security brass, including Home Minister Amit Shah, as it emerged that Jaish-e-Mohammad terrorists killed in an encounter on the outskirts of Jammu, were planning a big terror operation on the anniversary of the 26/11 Mumbai attack.

Government sources said NSA Ajit Doval, foreign secretary and top intelligence officials attended the meeting in which Modi took stock of the situation.

The terrorists were planning “something big” on the anniversary of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack, the sources added.

Four suspected Jaish-e-Mohammad terrorists were killed and two policemen injured in a gunbattle in Nagrota on Thursday after a truck carrying newly infiltrated militants was intercepted, police had said.

Inspector General of Police (IGP), Jammu, Mukesh Singh, had said after the encounter that the terrorists had come to execute a “big plan” which has now been foiled. (agencies)

PM Narendra Modi held a review meeting with Home Minister, National Security Advisor, Foreign Secretary, and top intelligence establishment over the Nagrota encounter. It was found that the terrorists were planning a big attack on the anniversary of 26/11 terror attack: Govt Sources