September 29, 2002	Sunday	Rajab 21, 1423

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SRINAGAR, Sept 28: Indian authorities have ordered a controversial special police squad to stay inside on Tuesday when held Kashmir holds a third round of legislative polls, after complaints of abuses.

“The Special Operations Group (SOG) and Special Task Force (STF) of (held) Kashmir police would be confined to the police lines till the elections for third phase are completed and electronic voting machines deposited in the respective strong rooms,” chief electoral officer Pramod Jain said on Saturday.

Opposition parties participating in the polls had demanded special police stay in their barracks during the assembly election.

The opposition People’s Democratic Party and Congress party had threatened to pull out of the last two rounds unless authorities stop alleged rigging by the ruling National Conference party.

A number of voters also complained of being forced to vote by Indian forces during the first round.

“Ever since the start of the election process in the state, several political parties had been voicing apprehensions about the role of the STF and SOG in the conduct of the elections,” Jain said.

“Most of these apprehensions were pre-emptive, though some may have justification,” he said.

Jain said the decision to hold back the special police was taken by India’s Chief Election Commissioner J.M. Lyngdoh at the end of a two-day tour of held Kashmir on Saturday.

Jain said that instructions have been given to the Srinagar government on how to manage without the police.—AFP