Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today urged West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to look into reports that Kolkata police was seeking information about Kashmiri students residing in the state.
"Dear @MamataOfficial, can you please look in to this police order? Info gathering shouldn't become harassment," Omar wrote on Twitter.
The National Conference working president was reacting to a report in an English daily which claimed that Kolkata Police has asked educational institutions to submit details of students from Jammu and Kashmir to it for onward transmission to Union Home Ministry.
Quoting the note, the report said, "Please let me know that students, whose residential addresses is under the State of Jammu and Kashmir, studies in your Institution for onwards transmission to the Ministry of Home Affairs, North Block, New Delhi, Govt. Of India."
Omar also drew the attention of Trinamool Congress MP Derek O'Brien to the issue.
"Why are these students being singled out? cc @quizderek Police ask Kolkata colleges to give details of J&K students," Omar added.
Omar claimed Mehbooba was taking the people of Anantnag
for granted as she was too arrogant to go to there and seek votes.
"We have the same candidate as in the last elections. Fortunately, while after winning election, (former Chief Minister) Mufti (Mohammad Sayeed) sahib was not seen there, our candidate was there only. Now, in this election, the chief minister has only gone there once and that too for a party function. What will that candidate do after the election," he asked.
On the call by separatists for boycott of the polls, Omar said it was nothing new.
"Tell me which election was there since 1996 in which there was no boycott call? Calling for a boycott of the election is nothing new here. We have seen this continuously since 1996 and more often than not, the people have ignored this call whether in the Panchayat elections or in recent assembly and parliament elections or for the last ten years now," he said.
The NC working president said it remains to be seen as to what extent the boycott call would have an impact in Anantnag.
"But I hope that people come out and participate in large numbers because there is a great degree of resentment against this PDP-BJP alliance and I hope that reflects in the voting when it takes place," he said.
