The Hindu : Front Page : Big voter turnout in Kashmir

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Friday, Feb 11, 2005

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Big voter turnout in Kashmir

By Our Special Correspondent

BUDGAM, FEB. 10. A day after militants shot dead a top contender for the post of Srinagar Mayor and a senior National Conference (NC) activist, a large number of people turned up to vote in central Budgam district and Ganderbal in Srinagar district which went to the polls in the fourth and last phase.

There was no incidence of violence. The killing of 75-year-old Mohammad Maqbool Shah Khakhsar, NC's newly elected orporator from Ikhrakpora locality, cast a shadow over the last phase of polling today. But an official spokesman said the voter turnout was 70.50 per cent in Budgam and 70.92 per cent in Ganderbal. Mr. Khakhsar was shot near his home as he was returning from leading the "magrib" prayers in the evening.

Mr. Khakhsar had won the Srinagar Municipal Corporation election held on February 1. He was a strong contender for the post of Mayor for Srinagar as the NC had bagged 41 out of 68 seats. Known for his secular outlook, he was the only Kashmiri Muslim who used to offer prayers at Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah's tomb during the height of militancy. The party president, Omar Abdullah, cut short his visit to Kolkata to pay his respects. He blamed the Government for the killing saying, "they failed to provide security to those who took part in the civic elections."

The Chief Minister, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, and the PDP president, Mehbooba Mufti, in separate messages from London, condemned Mr. Khakhsar's killing. "Shedding the blood of innocents has already cost the State heavily and it is time that everybody read the writing on the wall and allow democratic institutions to revive and flourish," Mr. Sayeed said, adding that it was a matter of satisfaction that the common man in the State had decided to take part in the development process. No militant outfit has owned responsibility for the attack.

Polling in Budgam and Ganderbal was a repetition of North Kashmir as long queues were seen outside the booths even as a number of candidates were elected unopposed following threats from militants and the killing of at least four persons who took part in the elections.

At polling booths, voters said they had come voluntarily to elect their representatives. "Do not link these elections with the Kashmir problem. These are linked with us," said Parvez Ahmed at Charar-e-Sharief. The authorities had made heavy security arrangements and a large number of paramilitary and police personnel were deployed.

In today's elections for four local bodies in Budgam and one in Ganderbal, the ruling PDP got the highest number of 27 seats followed by the NC, which could only manage 11. In Khansahib and Magam, independents got the majority. The Congress secured six seats in a 10-member committee of majority in Charar-e-Sharief where the PDP got five and NC two.

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