EC seeks report on dropping of sedition charges against J&K

On BJP's complaint, the Election Commission has sought a report from the district administration of Meerut in connection with dropping of sedition charges against Kashmiri students.
"The district magistrate of Meerut has been asked to submit a reply on the dropping of sedition charges against Kashmiri youths," Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of the state Umesh Sinha said.
Around 60 Kashmiri students of Swami Vivekananda Subharti University in Meerut were expelled for three days from the hostel after they had allegedly supported Pakistan cricket team against India on Sunday last.
On Thursday, the Uttar Pradesh police slapped sedition charges against the students, a move slammed by Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who called the action an "unacceptably harsh punishment" and spoke to UP Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav in this regard.

The sedition charges were withdrawn were withdrawn later.
Yesterday, BJP had criticised Uttar Pradesh government for withdrawing sedition charges against the Kashmiri students, saying the SP government was "only bothered about vote bank".

BJP's state unit president Laxmikant Bajpai had also complained to the Election Commission seeking intervention into the matter alleging that UP government had violated Model Code of Conduct.
Responding to questions from reporters on whether the ambulance service being run in the name of "Samajwadi Ambulance Sewa" was not violative of the Model Code, the CEO said a report in this regard would be sought from the state government and action taken accordingly.

On the Kanpur SSP's post lying vacant following the transfer of Yashaswi Yadav on court orders following doctors' strike, the CEO said that a list of names has been sent and a decision was likely shortly.
Sinha also said that a drive would be launched against illegal weapons.