After abrogation of Article 370, woman from Uttrakhand filed nomination for Moughla DDC. Rejected on technical grounds.

Shyam Sood
Rajouri November 19 :–In first of its kind episode in the J&K Union Territory, Returning Officer (RO) of 09-Moughla, DDC constituency in Rajouri district, reserved for Scheduled Tribe category (women), has rejected the nomination papers of the independent candidate as she has attached Scheduled Tribe certificate with nomination papers issued by Uttarakhand government.
Kumari Mangla has filed her nomination papers as independent candidate for Moughla District Development Council (DDC) seat for which the election will be held in 2nd phase on December 1.
Kumari Mangla is a resident of Pipalkoti village in Chamoli district in Uttrakhand and gets married to Pooran Kumar of village Moughla in Rajouri district.
Kumari Mangla belongs to Bhotia tribe. Bhotiyas in Uttarakhand were classified as a Scheduled Tribe under the Indian government’s reservation program of positive discrimination.
The Returning Officer (RO) has rejected Kumari Mangla’s nomination reportedly either on the ground that Bhotia cast/tribe doesn’t exist in J&K UT or SC/ST certificate should be issued by the competent authority of the J&K UT.
“We will seek legal opinion in this matter (rejection of nomination)” said Kumari Mangla.
On last day for the withdrawal of nominations today,one Independent candidate has withdrawn and now 4 candidates are left in fray for this seat.
“After the scrutiny of the nomination papers on November 17, out of 6 nominations filed for Moughla DDC constituency, one nomination of the Independent candidate was rejected because she has filed nomination on ST certificate issued by Uttrakhand government “said Mahesh Verma, Returning Officer DDC constituency, Moughla.
Mohd Nazir Sheikh, Deputy Commissioner has also confirmed the rejection of the nomination of Kumari Mangla.
BJP, NC, Congress, PDP candidates has filed the nomination papers for this constituency besides 2 independent candidates.
Reliable sources said that the supporters of Kumari Mangla have decided to move to Court against rejection of her nomination papers.