Jammu, 17 October (H.S.): Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) today lashed out at the local administration of Nagrota Assembly constituency for allegedly threatening party workers, disrupting the functioning of Block Congress Committees (BCC) of Bhalwal and Mathwar at Ghaink (Amb) and tehsil Gharota, besides detaining the owner of the party office building and damaging party property.

Addressing a press conference here today, PCC working president Raman Bhalla, chief spokesperson Ravinder Sharma, former MLA Thakur Balwan Singh and Ved Mahajan (ex-MLC and In-charge Party Headquarters), termed the incident as “official goondagardi” at the behest of the ruling party and a blatant violation of election norms.

The leaders alleged that the local civil and police administration, led by the Tehsildar, had visited the Nagrota party office two days ago and directed the Block office bearers to shut it down. Similarly, Naib Tehsildar Kikar Singh, along with local police, allegedly threatened party workers at Ghaink on October 14 and later trespassed into the office premises, detaining the owner, Anmol Singh, and tearing down posters and banners of national and PCC leaders.

Ravinder Sharma questioned the election authorities and the administration over their “illegal actions and misuse of power,” claiming such interference was carried out without any authority of law despite the Party’s written complaint to the Chief Electoral Officer and District Election Officer on October 14.

Raman Bhalla demanded strict action against the erring officials, including registration of an FIR, and sought an explanation from the Election Commission for its inaction. He reminded that the entire administrative machinery of 77-Nagrota constituency is under the Election Commission during the poll process.

Displaying videos and photographs of the late-night incident, Balwan Singh alleged harassment of party workers at the behest of the BJP, questioning how party offices could be closed when candidates for 77-Nagrota had not even been announced.

The Party urged the Election Commission of India to take immediate cognizance and ensure fair and unbiased conduct of elections in the Union Territory.

Meanwhile, Congress welcomed restoration of Darbar Move, blaming Centre and BJP for blocking other coalition commitments and denying funds.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Krishan Kumar