Record Polling

In the first phase of 2014 assembly election 70 per cent polling percentage was recorded in 15 assembly segments that went to vote on November 25. A total of 12 sitting MLAs, including seven ministers, were among 123 candidates whose fate was sealed in the Electronic Voting Machines (EVM’s).

The enthusiasm was seen more in youth, while according to reports the seniors were also having a ‘change’ of mood.

As the first phase of polling culminated, Sonawari recorded highest percentage of polling, 80.10 per cent, while Ganderbal recorded least, 53 per cent.

In district Ganderbal which recorded lowest percentage of polling, Kangan recorded 76.8  per cent, while assembly segment of Ganderbal recorded 53 per cent.

The district Doda also witnessed brisk polling, where Doda assembly segment recorded 79.6 per cent, while Bhaderwah assembly segment recorded 70.18 per cent.

In Ramban and Banihal, the polling percentage recorded is 68 and 69 per cent respectively.

Comparatively the Leh district recorded 75.16 per cent. Similarly in district Kargil, Zanskar recorded 71.07 per cent, while assembly segment of Kargil recorded 59.82 per cent.

In Kishtwar the data reveals that Inderwal assembly segment recorded 72.05 per cent, while Kishtwar assembly segment recorded 77 per cent.

The Assembly segments which went to polls in the first phase include Gurez, Bandipora, Sonawari, Kangan and Ganderbal (in Kashmir), Bhaderwah, Ramban and Banihal (in Jammu division); and Nobra, Leh, Kargil and Zanskar (in Ladakh).

Meanwhile people did not respond to the boycott call from pro freedom leaders. After day’s record high percentage was out, Hizb-ul-Mujahideen supremo and United Jihad Council chief Syed Sallah-ud din came out with a statement requested the pro-freedom camp to unanimously decide whether polls held in Jammu and Kashmir should be termed as ‘an issue’ or a ‘non issue’ and reach out to the people with a unanimous decision.

Arnai Encounter

Ahead of Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi’s visit in the Jammu region militants strike on International border leaving eleven people dead so far.

In the deadliest militant attack of year 2014, eleven people – four militants, four civilians and three army men were killed in the firing in Arnia sector of Jammu and Kashmir.

While the Army had been conducting search operations to flush out remaining militants hidden in the area, firing between militants and forces commenced again Friday morning.

As per reports the group of armed militants appeared in populated Pindi-Kathar village of Arnia sector, located barely 400 meters away from the International Border. At around 08.15 AM, the militants were spotted near a vacant bunker of Army’s 92 infantry brigade where Territorial Army has established a checkpoint for locals working in their fields. Sources said about eight to 10 gunmen in “BSF camouflage uniform” appeared near the checkpoint and headed towards the TA checkpoint and started firing. The militants had taken refuge in a makeshift bunker from where they attacked two Army bunkers leading to a gun battle with the government forces.

As per locals, normally six to eight TA soldiers are deputed at the checkpoint including their commander. “But in the morning, two soldiers were taking a shower at nearby hand pump which became a soft target for the militants.”

Meanwhile the chief of state, Omar Abdullah tweeted, “3 civilians have lost their lives along with 3 army personnel, my condolences to the families. 4 militants have been neutralised in Arnia.” He has also said that the incident “cannot be a coincidence” that the Arnia militant attack came as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif attended the SAARC summit.

Sheltering Victims

As the Kashmir region is engulfed in continuous cold grip, locals are more stressed in the post flood situation. The conditions are worst for the people whose houses were fully damaged in the floods and are now accommodating in the make shift camps.

Recently the chief secretary, Mohammad Iqbal Khandey came out with the statement that state has distributed an amount of Rs 133 crore among the flood victims in Kashmir, which was disclosed in review meeting chaired by Chief Secretary.

Khanday while reviewing the status of rehabilitation including shelter facilities for flood victims was informed that besides families that lost their houses/shelter in the flood fury are being provided suitable shelter facilities during the winter. For the purpose, Rs 5 crore was released in favour of the PWD to fast track the shelter construction process.

District wise status of rehabilitation work was also reviewed through Video Conferencing. The district head was directed for ensuring immediate completion of shelter facilities for such flood victims who reside in tents. He also asked the power development department to ensure sufficient availability of Diesel Gen sets for Snow bound remote areas of the valley.

Khandey has asked Deputy Commissioners to intensify the demolition process of illegal structures and encroachments on the river banks, besides intensifying the cleanup process in flood affected residential areas.

Chattergam Killings

Army has indicted its nine soldiers including an officer for killing two youth and critically injuring two others in Chattergam area of Budgam district on November 3 in its internal probe. The indicted army men will face court martial, sources said.

According to the final report of inquiry appointed to probe the firing, the court has found gross violation of rules of engagement by the involved soldiers. “They have been indicted. There has been a total failure of the command by the officer in charge,” they added.

“Nine soldiers of the 53 Rashtriya Rifles (RR), including a junior commissioned officer, have been indicted for the firing incident in Chattergam area in which two youth were killed,” sources said.

Widespread public anger followed the killings of two youth – Faisal Yusuf Bhat and Mehrajuddin Dar – in Chattergam area of Budgam district on November 3 by a mobile vehicle check post set up by the soldiers of 53 RR.

The army had initially said the car in which the youth were travelling had not halted at the security checkpoint. Lieutenant General DS Hooda, GOC-in-Charge of army’s northern command, later admitted the deployed column of the RR had overstepped its brief and violated the rules of engagement while opening fire at the car.

The inquiry was carried out by the deputy commander of neighbouring Rashtriya Rifles sector and was completed a week ago. The report has been already submitted to the higher headquarters for further examination.

A day after Army claimed that it indicted eight soldiers and a Junior Commissioned Officer for killing 2 youth in Chattergam area of Central Kashmir’s Budgam district, the family members of slain youth Burhan Yousuf Bhat alias Faisal Thursday while terming the claim of Army as a hoax to hoodwink the people demanded that all the guilty soldiers should be tried in civil court.

“We don’t believe in their (Army) inquiry and who knows whether they have really indicted anyone or not. A murder case already stands registered in Police Station Chadoora and if Army brass are sincere then they should feel no hesitation in dragging these killer soldiers to civil court,” Muhammad Yousuf Bhat the father of one of the slain youth told a local news agency, adding that even civil administration doesn’t know about the quantum of punishment given to erring soldiers who were held responsible for killing innocent people in past.

Poll time, Detained

As the elections process has started with a good turnout in the first phase, Police, in order to curb any anti-poll campaign have detained five social networking users for spreading rumours, exaggerating incidents  and promoting  poll boycott on social networking sites particularly Facebook and Whatsapp.

According to spokesman, Police has identified a number of persons found involved in these activities and cases are being registered against them for putting up these fake posts. “Police will continue to take stringent action against Facebook and others social media users who are found promoting fake news, exaggerating incidents and polling boycott on their pages/accounts,” the spokesman added.

Some of the persons found involved have been identified as Sajad Mir and Tabeeb Sheikh of Khanyar Srinagar, Shaukat Salafi of Naidkhai Bandipora, Zahid Hamid and Muneeb Farooq Wani of Hardpora Anantnag.

Taking strong note of thwarting any disruption in polling, to be held in five phases, the Police spokesman said the action against such elements will continue as most of these mischief mongers are being continuously identified.

While detaining Social media users for “anti-state” activities is not a new incident, this is for the first time police have acted against Facebook and Whatsapp users for promoting election boycott in the Valley.

Fearing boycott of polls, hundreds of pro-freedom activists and leaders have been already been put in jails or house arrested ahead of state assembly elections.

Modi Again

While addressing twin election rallies in Jammu on Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi alleged Congress, National Conference and PDP of “looting” money meant for the development for Jammu and Kashmir. “Since last three decades large amount of wealth meant for the development of J&K is going in pockets of a few families,” Modi alleged adding “give a chance to rule J&K we will ensure you to get back the looted money from the said families.”

Udhampur and Poonch districts with three assembly constituencies each are going to polls on December 2 in the second phase of the five-phased state assembly elections.

“I visited J&K in the months of August, September, October and November,” Modi said adding “I will be visiting in December as well.”

“Every month I come here, there has been no PM who has visited J&K so often. Lakhs of families suffered during floods, I did not delay my visit even for a moment, after reviewing situation sent assistance for your service,” Modi said.

“I have come here with the aim of development and I have also come here to wipe your tears. We have decided to give proper assistance to J&K but we will make sure where this money is going,” PM Modi said.

Referring to the militant attack in Arnia sector PM said that militants are panicking because the people of J&K are determined to change their destiny through democratic ways. “People have rejected the bullet and shown the strength of the ballot,” he said.

The Prime Minister Narendra Modi after making the poll pitch and assuring the state of development concluded his speech with chants of “Bharat Mata Ki Jai” in Poonch on Friday afternoon.

“The respond to my slogan of ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’ must be such that the people on the other side should hear it,” Modi said indicating towards the other side of the LoC and repeated his slogan many times.

“If the funds, in the last 50 years, the funds Centre sent to Kashmir would’ve reached the people here, you would’ve been the richest people,” the PM said alleging “the funds were not spent properly.”