KL Report
SRINAGAR
As the Kashmir is set for second round of polling on Wednesday, there is a pre-poll calm visible in Srinagar and its peripheries as the roads are seen comparatively deserted with thin traffic.
The high profile Srinagar Lok sabha seat is scheduled to go for polls on Wednesday with NC president Dr Farooq Abdullah and PDP leader Tariq Hamid Karra two main contestants.
The usual hustle bustle is missing from the roads and market in Srinagar. Since early Tuesday, the movement of traffic is very thin with Shalteng and Pantha Chowk crossings seeing almost no jams.
“It was very fertile driving today as I could easily pass hectic Shalteng Chowk,” Ab Rashid, a commuter said, adding, “Actually Srinagar is going to polls tomorrow and people preferred to leave for their homes earlier.”
The shopkeepers in Srinagar also complained about low business on Tuesday saying, “people did not turn up for shopping.”
South Kashmir Lok Sabha seat that went to polls on April 24 saw unprecedented violence, protests and pro freedom sloganeering on the day of polling. Two Panchs, a Lambardar and a youth were also killed ahead of polling in the area. Even on the day of polling, a polling official was killed in a militant attack in Shopian followed by a fierce gun battle which resulted in the killing of three militants, two army men including a Major.
Sources said that hundreds of the vehicles of Srinagar have been hired by the officials for poll duty. “It was too pathetic to get into the bus early this morning as there was no breathing space in the vehicle,” a passenger from Magam said and added that maximum of the vehicles are on poll duty and they were unable to find a spacious one. Same was the case in the afternoon when people started their journey to their homes.
