SRINAGAR: While by-polls to two Lok Sabha seats in Kashmir Valley are just 12 days away, the election related campaign from all the major political parties have remained limited to party offices, communities halls and government Dak Bungalows.
Leaving aside militancy hit South Kashmir, even in Central Kashmir, political parties including Peoples Democratic Party, National Conference and Congress have not succeeded in organizing a single mega election rally yet. Though, elections are scheduled on 9 and 12 of next month, the election atmosphere is completely missing on the ground.
All the political parties have been claiming that they are running election campaigns both in South and Central Kashmir but so far all the election related meeting have been organized in close door offices and government buildings.
The National Conference- Congress candidate for South Kashmir Ghulam Ahmed Mir was forced to cancel his scheduled election rally in Pulwama on Monday after the killing of two militants in Padgampora leading to widespread clashes and shutdown in the district.
Dr Farooq Abdullah’s campaign managers had to cancel meetings planned in Budgam on Tuesday, after the death of two civilians in police action to disperse stone-pelting protesters near an encounter site.PDP candidate for South Kashmir Tasaduq Mufti and Dr Farooq Abdullah who is in the fray for Srinagar Parliament seat have also failed to make a mark while Nazir Khan of PDP has also not been able to organize any mega election rally so far.
On 19th of March, Peoples Democratic Party organized a convention at Chawalgam area of South Kashmirs Kulgam district that was attacked by scores of youth with stones, resulting in the injuries of two PDP workers. The prevailing situation across Kashmir Valley is not allowing political parties to reach out to people. Fearing trouble, these parties organize small meetings and conventions in which only loyal party supporters participate. Most of these loyalists are elderly people while the youth participation is minimal. The post Burhan events and the trend to move towards encounter sites, youths pelting stones on Government Forces trying to give safe passage to trapped militants are some of the factors that stop political parties to run election campaign freely, said a political analyst to CNS.
The election atmosphere is missing on ground, though to pave the way for peaceful elections; government forces have already started a crackdown on youth. Over hundreds youths have been picked up from South Kashmir who are languishing in police stations. Sources said that these youth may be released only after the culmination of the elections on April 12. Government of India has already decided to send 200 companies of paramilitary forces for poll duty in Kashmir. Reports said that State Government had requested Centre to deploy 350 companies to maintain peace and order in the Valley.
A top leader from a political party wishing not to be named admitted that they are hesitant to approach people due to the situation that has emerged after the killing of Hizb popular commander Burhan Wani and the subsequent killing of scores of civilians. If situation permits we will try to organize election rallies. However, the frequent encounters between militants and the government forces and subsequent clashes change the situation in any area, thus hampering the movement political workers, he added. (CNS)
Polling Stations Relocated In Pulwama
According to the District Election Officer, Pulwama, all the voters of Pulwama district are informed that the following changes to polling stations have been made in respect of 31-Tral, 32-Pampore and 34-Rajpora assembly segments for the forthcoming bye-elections for Anantnag-3 Lok Sabha Constituency, an official spokesperson said.
In 31-Tral assembly segment, 50-Ratsuna-B polling station has been shifted from its existing location Middle School Ratsuna to new location Boys High School Ratsuna, while in 32-Pampore assembly segment; locations of polling stations 12-Woyan-C and 13-Woyan-D have been changed from Islamia High School Woyan to Government Boys Primary School Woyan. Polling station 22-Ladoo-B and 23-Ladoo-C have been relocated to Higher Secondary Ladoo from Panchyat Ghar Ladoo.
Similarly, 43-Pampore-J and 44-Pampore-K polling stations have been shifted from Islamia High School Kadlabal to Middle School Kadlabal, while location of 96-Pampore-G1 has been changed from High School Tancha Bagh to DIET Pampore.
In 34-Rajpora Assembly segment locations of 13-Mirgund Thokerpora and 92-Niloora polling stations have been also changed from existing locations PS Mirgund and Cooperative Market Society Niloora to MS Thokerpora and MS Niloora, respectively.
Hakeem Yaseen To Stay Away
Chief of the Peoples democratic Front (PDF) Mohammad Hakeem Yaseen while strongly condemning the civilian killing in the Chadoora during an encounter said that the government should call for an enquiry into the incident.
He said, this is the reason that PDF has said that the atmosphere is not conducive for the election. The government has failed to prevent the civilian killing.
While talking to the PTK, he demanded immediate enquiry into the Chadoora bloodshed. Despite assurance government has failed to prevent innocent killings. There should be an immediate enquiry called in to the calling to probe it, he said.
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