J&K CM Omar talks tough, warns action against those terrorising voters

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has come out strongly against those taking to violence against the voters in the state. Reacting to the reports of voters being beaten up, Omar on Friday said that the acts of terrorising voters will not be tolerated.

"First things first - the gangs moving around trying to terrorise those who voted will not be tolerated. Can't have freedom to choose not to vote without allowing people who want to vote a similar choice. Action will be taken against anyone found trying to terrorise voters and the police have been instructed accordingly," Omar tweeted on Friday.

This came after reports of voters in Kupwara in Jammu and Kashmir being allegedly thrashed, stripped and labelled as traitors for not heeding to the boycott call by stone-pelters. They were allegedly assaulted for going ahead and casting their votes for the Lok Sabha elections.

A middle-aged man from Kupwara was allegedly caned and later forced to strip by a group of youth for voting. Many voters faced the ire of stone-pelters at Sopore and Baramulla on Wednesday. The protesters called them 'traitors' for not heeding the boycott call.

"This is not good. My appeal goes to both the administration and Hurriyat to come clean on this. Both voting and boycott are the right of people. The administration should safeguard the people and Hurriyat should clear its stand whether they are its supporters who beat up people," said PDP leader Javeed Ahmad Dar.

In the Baramulla town where groups of youth clashed with government forces on polling day, voting percentage was dismal. But in Kupwara it had been over 60 per cent. But here irked protesters kept vigil for voters at bus-stands checking ink-marks on fingers. Those who had not voted were let off, while those who did were allegedly beaten.

The administration did nothing to stop this for hours. A top official told CNN-IBN that taking action was difficult as many of the youth were wearing masks and couldn't be identified.