J-K politician warns of hunger strike in Delhi if 'rights of people of UT are compromised'
Srinagar (Jammu and Kashmir), August 22: Jammu and Kashmir People's Conference chief Sajad Lone on Monday warned of a hunger strike national capital "if the rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir are compromised."
Amid row over 'Registration of New Voters in Jammu and Kashmir', Lone addressed a media conference on Monday and stated, "We as a party neither accept the clarification given by the government in totality nor do we reject it. We know the current administration here or in Delhi doesn't hold political parties in Jammu and Kashmir in high esteem."
He also added that the decision to add non-locals to the voter list is not part of the law.
"We had our own constitution earlier and our legislature had formed a law which defined everything. However, it is not the law that is a threat to us, but we are scared of those who are implementing the law. If we feel there is demographic intervention or the rights of the people of J-K are compromised, then we will sit on hunger strike in front of Parliament in Delhi,' he said.
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"There are several court verdicts, for example, Dr Manmohan Singh Vs ECI when he had to contest election from Assam where the Supreme Court upheld Guwahati High Court judgement and ordered that ordinary resident - student, armed force, etc. are not permissible, a person should be living in the area for a considerable time," he said, citing the Dr Manmohan Singh vs Election Commission of India case.
Earlier on August 17, Election Commission announced the schedule of the Special Summary Revision in Jammu and Kashmir and stated that the people who were not voters in the Assembly after the abrogation of Article 370 from the region can now be named on the voter's list.
According to an official, the person does not have to be a "permanent resident" of the Union Territory.
Now, non-locals including employees, students, labourers or anyone from outside who is living ordinarily in the UT of Jammu and Kashmir can register their names on the voting list.
However, the opposition has slammed this development in Jammu and Kashmir and called non-local voters 'imported voters.' The opposition claims that 'imported voters' are a BJP ploy to seek backdoor entry into J&K.
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-PTC News
