A young woman IPS officer has kicked up a row in North Kashmir’s Sopore by re-scheduling election programmes, mainly of the National Conference, close to the election date.

The development prompted former chief minister Omar Abdullah to write to the Election Commission and complain that it was a direct assault on democracy and principles of fair competition.

Divya D, a 2018-batch IPS officer posted as Sopore superintendent of police (SP), has directed the additional district magistrate to reschedule several political activities in the area without reportedly citing any reason.

Omar, the National Conference candidate for the Baramulla Lok Sabha seat of which Sopore is a part, called it a "blatant and egregious attempt to surreptitiously disadvantage the NC as compared to other parties".

Baramulla is going to the polls on May 20. Omar is locked in a contest with People's Conference leader Sajad Lone, allegedly enjoying the support of the BJP.

The order of the police officer specified the postponement of certain rallies in which Omar was scheduled to take part — a car rally from May 9 to May 18, a political rally in Rafiabad from May 10 to May 18 while no new date was provided for a May 12 gathering in Behrampora.

The campaigning for the Lok Sabha seat is scheduled to end at 5pm on May 18, which means the programmes have been re-scheduled to the last date.

The order also mentioned the cancellation of a People's Conference rally in Rafiabad but it was supposed to be addressed by local party workers.

The rescheduling directive did not cite specific reasons, although some unverified reports claimed there was an ongoing cordon and search operation in the area following intelligence reports of foreign militants.

Omar urged the EC to issue guidelines to permit the given schedule. He expressed concern over "the unjust cancellations" which were "duly approved".

"This denial of permissions is aimed at derailing the political campaign of the party and preventing the party from effectively carrying out the campaign," he said.

The NC leader claimed other political parties enjoyed unfettered access and support from the administration.

The order came against the backdrop of allegations that the local administration was helping the parties allegedly supported by the BJP.

Last month, major political parties including the NC and the People's Democratic Party (PDP) objected to the BJP and its allies' request to the EC to reschedule the Anantnag polls, alleging such a move would betray its complicity in rigging.

The commission, however, paid no heed to their pleas and re-scheduled the polls from May 7 to May 25.