As Jammu and Kashmir prepares for its assembly election, the DH Pora (Noorabad) constituency is emerging as a key battleground, with a diverse array of candidates vying for the seat Syed Batool Andrabi reports
Previously called Noorabad, the Damhal Hanjipora (DH Pora) assembly constituency is the remotest of the three Kulgam constituencies and lives mostly in the mountainous. Historically a belt that is hugely participating in elections, the constituency is expected to break all earlier records of participation this time to make the contest interesting.
The area’s electoral history is marked by significant political shifts, notable victories, and closely contested elections, making the upcoming poll a highly contested affair.
The contest in this constituency is almost a bilateral thing – JKNC versus PDP. The interesting part, however, is that the PDP vote is getting divided between the party’s last candidate (Abdul Majid Paddar) and the new candidate Gulzar Ahad Dar. Padder who had won in 2014 is now Jammu and Kashmir Apni Party candidate.
This is making Ms Sakina Itoo, a veteran JKNC leader and former minister, a formidable contest in the belt. Itoo has represented this constituency twice – in 1996 and 2008. In her second stint in 2008, she was the only woman to hold a cabinet ministry position in Omar Abdullah’s government.
Historical Context
The DH Pora constituency boasts a rich and dynamic political history, mirroring the broader transformations in Jammu and Kashmir over the years. In the 2014 assembly elections, PDP’s Abdul Majid Padder secured a decisive victory, garnering 28,698 votes and defeating Sakina Itoo of the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (JKN) by a margin of 3,708 votes. This triumph was significant, as it underscored a marked shift in voter sentiment and highlighted the growing influence of the JKPDP in the region.
In the preceding assembly elections held in 2008, Sakina Itoo emerged victorious, polling 16,240 votes and edging out Abdul Aziz Zagar of JKPDP, who secured 11,722 votes. The margin of victory stood at 4,518 votes, demonstrating the intensely competitive nature of the constituency. Zargar was a member of Jammu and Kashmir’s constituent assembly.
This oscillation between the two prominent parties has rendered DH Pora a focal point for political engagement in the region, with each election cycle throwing up intriguing possibilities and shifting allegiances.
The representation of this constituency has remained with the Ittoo family for a very long time. In 1962, JKNC’s Ghulam Hasan Khan won this seat and in 1967, it was Congress’s Abdul Aziz Sheikh represented it in the assembly.
For four consecutive terms – 1972, 1977, 1983 and 1987, it was Wali Mohammad Ittoo who would represent this berth in the Jammu and Kashmir assembly. After the militancy broke out, he was assassinated in Jammu. This led his daughter, Sakina to give up her medical education and get into politics. She won this twice and lost it twice. The 2024 election is her fifth election since 1996.
Contest Heats Up
As the area is going to polls on September 18, in the first phase, the campaigning has started. There are six candidates in the fray – Mohammad Ayub Matoo (Janata Dal-United), independents Mohamad Arif Darv and Sajad Ahmed Dar, Gulzar Ahmed Dar (People’s Democratic Party), Abdul Majeed Padder of the Apni Party, and Sakeena Itoo of the National Conference.
Dar and Padder in a way will seek votes from one part of the electorate – the PDP. This will eventually divide the votes helping Sakina to pass through. Ms Ittoo is seen as a courageous politician as she has survived more than 20 assassination bids in her political career.
Diverse Electorate
The constituency boasts a diverse electorate, comprising 62,202 registered voters, as recorded in the most recent electoral rolls.
This constituency has an element of heterogeneity as more than 14 per cent of its electorate is Scheduled Tribe (ST) comprising Gujjars and Bajkerwals. According to the 2011 census, this constituency has a population of 135284 including 20108 people belonging to STs.
The constituency is actively participating in the elections. In the 2008 elections, a notable 74.29 per cent of registered voters cast their ballots, with a total of 46,210 participants. The 2014 elections saw a similarly robust turnout, with Abdul Majid Padder securing 48.36 per cent of the votes and Sakina Itoo garnering 42.11 per cent.
DH Pora’s Strategic Location
Situated approximately 14 kilometres southwest of the Kulgam town, DH Pora occupies a unique geographical position. The constituency is flanked by the Bufliaz and Thana Mandi tehsils to the west, Darhal to the south, and Shopian to the east, creating a distinctive spatial context that influences the region’s socio-economic dynamics.
The region boasts an array of attractions, including the picturesque Aharbal Waterfall, the serene Kousarnag Lake, and various trekking routes that cater to adventure-seekers and nature enthusiasts. These natural assets have the potential to significantly bolster local tourism, thereby contributing to the local economy and fostering opportunities for indigenous businesses to flourish.
In the last delimitation, DH Pora was given DH Pora and Pahloo Tehsils. These two tehsils include the area falling in the panchayats of – PCs 5-Malwan, 6- Pahloo, 7-Akhal, 23- Gudder, 34-Brinal Lamber, 46-DamhalHanjipora, 47- Ahmada-Abad, 48- Yaroo, 49 – Hardu-Mandagori, 51- Manzgam, 52-Asnoor, 53-Wattoo, 54-Avil, 55-Khuri-Batapora, 56-Nagam, 57-Danow-Kandimarg, 58-Bdi-Jehalan, 59-Chimar, 60-Qasba Khul, 61-Nandimarg in Tehsil Kulgam.
Economic Foundations
The economy of DH Pora is firmly rooted in agriculture, horticulture, and handicrafts, providing a robust foundation for the local population. The region’s fertile terrain lends itself to the cultivation of a diverse array of crops, including an abundance of fruits and vegetables, which are essential to the local economy. Horticulture has emerged as a significant sector, with apple orchards becoming a vital source of income for numerous families, underscoring the importance of this industry to the regional economy.
Livestock farming also plays a vital role in the livelihoods of residents, with many families engaged in rearing sheep, goats, and poultry. This not only contributes to their sustenance but also generates income, further highlighting the sector’s significance.
Most of the remote belts living closer to the mountains lack plain lands that suit rice and other cereals. They, however, cultivate maize and mostly manage their lives by engaging as labourers. People own huge herds in the area.
Read Profile of Other Assembly Constituencies
Kulgam, Devsar, Noorabad (DH Pora), Shopian, Zainpora (Wachi)
