Police registered FIR, starts investigations
SUHAIL KHAN
PATTAN, May 21: People’s Conference leader and former minister, Imran Raza Ansari allegedly manhandled a police officer and a polling official during Lok Sabha in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district on Monday.
Official sources revealed to Kashmir Despatch that two separate first information reports (FIRs) have been registered against the former minister under relevant sections of the Representation of People’s Act on charges of allegedly manhandling a police officer on duty during the poll day.
Talking to Kashmir Despatch, the station house officer (SHO) Pattan, Khalid Fayaz, confirmed the entire scenario, stating that ‘everything was normal, and it was a festive environment with a large gathering of people coming to vote. However, all of a sudden, the PC leader arrived with his supporters and tried to enter the polling station, which caused a disturbance.’
“The officer said that the PC leader even attempted to break the doors and windows of the polling station, and when they tried to intervene, he, along with his supporters, assaulted the officers and later fled the spot,” he added. The officer, however, stated that voting is a constitutional right, and they were there for the protection and safety of the voters, and more importantly, to maintain the peaceful environment. “It doesn’t matter whose leader or whose voter, as they are supposed to protect everyone.”
Meanwhile, a senior police officer told Kashmir Despatch that two separate first information reports (FIRs) have been registered against the politician under relevant sections of the Representation of People’s Act. He said that in this case, FIR (168/24 u/s 147,149,353,332,379-A IPC 131/RP act), and FIR (167/24 U/S 147,149,353,332 IPC 131 RP act), have been registered against the politician, and further investigation has been initiated.
P K Pole, Chief Electoral Officer, Jammu and Kashmir said he has sought a report from the Baramulla SSP over the incident.
The People’s Conference leader was not available for comments when Kashmir Despatch contacted him, as his number remained switched off.
Pertinently, the Baramulla Parliamentary Constituency witnessed a record-breaking 59.49 percent voter turnout. Around 17,37,865 electors were eligible to cast their ballots in 2,103 polling stations established across the Baramulla Parliamentary Constituency during the 5th phase of the ongoing Lok Sabha elections on Monday.
Suhail Khan is a filmmaker, content writer, and freelance journalist.
