Jammu and Kashmir police fears the separatist boycott call might increase chances of militant strikes in the Valley.
A local news agency quoted the state police chief saying that Hurriyat Conference chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani's poll boycott campaign would encourage militants to carry out strikes.
"Militants always pose threats whenever there are elections in Kashmir. They did the same during the recently-held panchayat polls, and they will certainly do the same in the coming time," director general of police Ashok Prasad was quoted as saying.
He said, "Geelani has always tried to disrupt the election process in Kashmir, except during the elections in which he participated and won."
Prasad, however, said the threat for the polls next year was less as compared to that in the previous elections, and assured that police would ensure peaceful polls.
"The police force in the past has discharged its duties in the most turbulent times, and this time also, it will take every step possible to thwart any militant activity during the polls," he claimed.
The DGP added that the security across the state would not be tightened more than it was in the previous elections, as the militant threat was comparatively less this time.
{{/usCountry}}The DGP added that the security across the state would not be tightened more than it was in the previous elections, as the militant threat was comparatively less this time.
{{/usCountry}}"We will not increase the security during the elections, but we will not decrease it either," he added.