JAMMU: Scores of Congress workers and leaders were detained on Friday after the party staged a protest outside the Election Commission office in Jammu, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
The demonstration was led by Congress MP and AICC general secretary Dr Syed Naseer Hussain and saw the participation of senior party leaders, including former ministers and legislators. Protesters raised slogans against Kumar, burnt his effigy and attempted to march towards and gherao the Election Commission office.
A heavy contingent of police and paramilitary personnel was deployed around the office to prevent the protesters from moving towards the premises. Brief scuffles were reported between protesters and security personnel, following which several Congress leaders and workers, including senior leaders, were detained and taken away in buses.
Former deputy chief minister Tara Chand said the protesters had been detained in large numbers and reiterated the party’s demand for the CEC’s resignation. The Jammu demonstration was part of the Congress’ nationwide programme seeking Kumar’s removal and an independent review of decisions and electoral-roll changes made during his tenure.
The protest comes amid a political dispute over the Election Commission’s handling of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The Indian Express recently reported that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had raised objections on at least 14 occasions over decisions and orders related to the SIR process. The Election Commission has said differing views and observations are part of institutional deliberations and that its orders have legal sanction and follow established statutory procedures.
Congress leader and former minister Chaudhary Lal Singh said similar demonstrations were being held across the country over the party’s concerns regarding the electoral process. Heavy security remained deployed around the Jammu Election Commission office as authorities sought to maintain law and order during the demonstration.
