The Union Home Ministry and the Election Commission on Wednesday discussed security measures to be undertaken for the bypoll to the Anantnag Lok Sabha seat to be held in May, amid continued violence in the Kashmir Valley.
The Ministry had earlier said that the Srinagar bypoll on April 9 had “vitiated the atmosphere” and they had requested the EC to defer the polls. Following the violence during the bypoll, the Anantnag elections were postponed to May 25. The EC was informed that post April 9, more than 700 incidents of stone pelting have been reported across the Valley.
Chief Election Commissioner Nasim Zaidi and his two Election Commissioners held talks with Union Home Secretary Rajiv Mehrishi, who assured them of providing adequate security forces for the bypoll. The assurance from the Ministry assumes significance as there were voices within the Mehbooba Mufti-led coalition government for postponing the bypoll, citing law and order situation in the Valley.
