Militants threaten candidates to withdraw nominations again

MILITANTS HAVE RELEASED TWO VIDEOS IN THREE DAYS, WITH FOCUS ON BARAMULLA, SOPORE NOMINEES

SRINAGAR : Militants have been releasing videos, asking candidates, especially in Baramulla and Sopore, to withdraw from urban local body elections.

In the past three days, militants released two videos asking candidates to withdraw their nomination papers.

The first video was Sopore specific. An unknown militant carrying an AK-47 rifle asked candidates to withdraw from the polling process and threatened of consequences otherwise.

On Sunday, another video surfaced on social media in which militant identified as Shoiab Ahmad from Khanpora, who according to police is affiliated with Lashkar-e -Toiba, in a video message asked candidates of north Kashmir to withdraw from polling process and seek forgiveness from the people. “We appeal to all those who have filed nomination papers to withdraw their papers and seek forgiveness from the people within three days. If they fail to do so they will be responsible themselves for the results.”

However, a senior police officer said that proper security has been provided to all candidates contesting elections.

In first phase, councils, committees and wards including Devsar, Kulgam, Kokernag, Baramulla, Kupwara, Handawara, Chadoora, Kulgam, Qazigund, Kargil, Leh Councils and three wards of Srinagar municipal corporation will go for polls.