The Kashmir Pulse

SRINAGAR — Former National Conference parliamentarian and then-NC election in-charge Abdul Rashid Kabuli has alleged that he personally witnessed rigging of the 1987 Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections, claiming National Conference candidates were instructed to be declared winners even when they had not secured the required votes.

In a video interview with the news agency KNT, Kabuli alleged that the manipulation was carried out at the counting stage and claimed that all counting officers were assembled before then-NC president Farooq Abdullah and instructed to declare NC candidates victorious regardless of the actual votes polled.

Kabuli cited the Amira Kadal constituency as an example, alleging that NC candidate Ghulam Mohiuddin Shah was losing to Muslim United Front candidate Molvi Mohammad Yousuf — now known as Syed Salahuddin — but was nevertheless declared the winner.

"I was in charge of elections for the National Conference and am a witness to how the elections were rigged," Kabuli said.

He claimed he objected when Shah was declared the winner despite allegedly trailing the Muslim United Front candidate, but was told by then-NC General Secretary Sheikh Nazir that the manipulation had to be carried out to "save the foundation of the party."

Kabuli alleged the process extended beyond a single constituency, claiming counting officers had been given blanket instructions regarding NC candidates.

"It was a rigged election that devastated Kashmir," he said, describing the 1987 election as having consequences far beyond the electoral process itself.

Allegations against Farooq Abdullah

Kabuli also alleged that former chief minister and NC president Farooq Abdullah was driven by a desire to retain political power, and claimed the interests of the people were compromised for the sake of his position.

"He was power hungry, cared a fig for the people and clung to his chair," Kabuli alleged.

The former NC parliamentarian additionally alleged that the Government of India had been willing to release Kashmiri separatist leader Maqbool Bhat, but that Farooq Abdullah became the biggest obstacle to this. Kabuli said that, as a Member of Parliament, he had personally attempted to persuade the Government of India to secure Bhat's release, but alleged that Abdullah opposed the effort.

He further alleged that Abdullah sent the then Director General of Police to Delhi with instructions that Bhat's mortal remains should be buried inside Tihar Jail following his execution.

Kabuli claimed that even Begum Abdullah had advised Farooq Abdullah against this course of action, telling him that if he resigned, he would instead gain greater sympathy and support among the people.

Kabuli said the developments surrounding the 1987 elections and the subsequent political decisions had left a deep imprint on Kashmir's political history.

SRINAGAR — A four-member government-constituted committee studying demographic changes across different parts of the country arrived in Jammu on Monday for a three-day visit, officials said.

Soon after its arrival, Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo and Director General of Police Nalin Prabhat met the panel at a hotel as part of its consultations with senior officials. The committee was briefed on the demographic profile of Jammu and Kashmir and changing population trends, officials said.

The panel is scheduled to continue its engagements till August 12 and will visit several areas of Jammu, including settlements inhabited by Rohingya and Bangladeshi nationals, as well as areas along the International Border considered sensitive from security and administrative perspectives.

Background of the committee

The Centre had constituted the high-level committee in May under the chairmanship of retired Justice Prakash Prabhakar Navlekar to study demographic changes arising from illegal immigration and other abnormal factors and suggest measures to address them.

The committee comprises the Census Commissioner and three experts — Durga Shankar Mishra, a retired IAS officer; Balaji Srivastava, a retired IPS officer; and economist Shamika Ravi. The Joint Secretary (Foreigners-I) in the Ministry of Home Affairs is the Member Secretary.

The committee's visit comes after Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the "High-powered Demography Mission" on August 15 last year. The Union Cabinet approved the mission on September 11.

Officials said a detailed presentation on the demographic overview and changing trends in Jammu and Kashmir was made before the Chief Secretary and DGP met the panel.

Background data

According to government data, more than 13,700 foreigners, including Rohingya Muslims and Bangladeshi nationals, are settled in Jammu and Samba districts, with their population having increased by over 6,000 between 2008 and 2016.

In March 2021, police identified more than 270 Rohingyas, including women and children, during a verification drive in Jammu city and lodged them at a holding centre inside the Kathua Sub-Jail.

The presence of illegal foreign immigrants, particularly Rohingya and Bangladeshi nationals, has previously drawn concerns from BJP leaders and right-wing groups, who have sought identification and deportation of those residing illegally in the region.

The committee's assessment is expected to examine demographic trends and associated administrative and security concerns during its engagements in Jammu.

SRINAGAR — The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on Monday chargesheeted 10 persons, including two former executive engineers and a private contractor, in an alleged ₹7.12 lakh embezzlement and fraud case linked to the Lastiyal-Kalaroose bridge in Kupwara.

In a statement issued to the news agency KNO, an ACB spokesperson said the bureau has presented a chargesheet before the competent court against 10 accused persons, including nine public servants and one private contractor, in a case relating to alleged misappropriation of government store material, fraudulent release of a security deposit, forgery, abuse of official position and criminal conspiracy in connection with the construction of a steel bridge at Lastiyal-Kalaroose, Kupwara.

The spokesperson said the case originated from an Open Verification conducted by the erstwhile Vigilance Organisation Kashmir into allegations of loss to the state exchequer by the beneficiary contractor in connivance with officials of the PWD (R&B) Division, Kupwara.

Details of alleged irregularities

According to the spokesperson, investigation revealed that the bridge work was allotted to contractor Ghulam Mohi-ud-din Lone in September 2010, with stipulated completion within three months. The contractor commenced the work after considerable delay, executed only part of it and subsequently abandoned the project. Departmental store material comprising cement and steel remained unaccounted for or unrecovered, valued at approximately ₹5.63 lakh.

The spokesperson said investigation further revealed fraudulent release and encashment of the contractor's CDR amounting to ₹73,000 on the basis of a forged communication purportedly issued by the competent departmental authority. The investigation also found alleged irregular release of Bill Deposits amounting to ₹81,400 despite outstanding government liabilities, besides lapses by engineering and accounts officials in safeguarding government material, enforcing contractual conditions and ensuring recovery of government dues.

"Thereby a total loss of Rs 7,12,150 to state exchequer was caused by accused public servants in connivance with contractor," the spokesperson said.

The spokesperson said that after completion of the investigation, requisite sanction for prosecution against the in-service accused public servants was accorded by the competent authority.

Accused named

Based on oral, documentary, scientific and other evidence collected during the investigation, the following 10 persons were chargesheeted: Abdul Majeed Malik, then Helper/Assistant Cashier, PWD (R&B) Division, Kupwara; Ghulam Rasool Lone, then Cashier/Senior Assistant, PWD (R&B) Division, Kupwara; Mohammad Sultan Sheikh (Retd.), then Executive Engineer, PWD (R&B) Division, Kupwara; Er. Ajit Singh Chopra (Retd.), then Executive Engineer, PWD (R&B) Division, Kupwara; Er. Nazir Ahmad Shah (Retd.), then Assistant Executive Engineer, PWD (R&B) Division, Kupwara; Er. Abdul Rashid Dar (Retd.), then Assistant Executive Engineer, PWD (R&B) Division, Kupwara; Er. Manzoor Ahmad Sumji, then Junior Engineer, PWD (R&B) Division, Kupwara; Gh. Qadir Bhat (Retd.), then Assistant Accounts Officer, PWD (R&B) Division, Kupwara; Abdul Hamid Dar, then Assistant Accounts Officer, PWD (R&B) Division, Kupwara; and Ghulam Mohi-ud-din Lone, private contractor/beneficiary.

The spokesperson said all 10 accused were presented before the Court of Special Judge, Anti-Corruption, Baramulla, on Monday along with the chargesheet and were admitted to bail upon furnishing bail and surety bonds as directed by the court. The court has fixed November 25, 2026, as the next date of hearing.