M A I N   N E W S

Militants’ fear may keep voters away
M. L. Kak
Tribune News Service

Jammu, September 22
Mikes have fallen silent, but not the militants in the 28 constituencies where the electioneering ended today. Senior functionaries of the state police, BSF and CRPF held separate meetings in Srinagar and Jammu today to formulate a strategy to ensure an incident-free polling in these constituencies.

Official sources said militants, on the basis of reports received from five of the 10 Assembly segments in Srinagar district indicating full response to the call for poll boycott, may not indulge in any major subversive violence on Tuesday when the polling under phase II will be held. Still, a heavy security cover has been provided to 987 polling stations in Srinagar and Budgam districts.

A field survey conducted by various intelligence agencies has indicated that there may be 3 per cent polling in five Assembly segments in Srinagar city, which include Zadibal, Hazratbal, Idgah, Khanyar, Amirakadal and Habba Kadal. The survey has revealed that in 15 constituencies of Srinagar and Budgam districts, the overall poll percentage may be about 30 to 45 and in the five Assembly segments of Budgam district and three segments of Srinagar district, the poll percentage was expected to range between 50 and 55.

In the 13 constituencies of Jammu district, experts expect between 50 per cent and 58 per cent polling. However, intelligence reports have also indicated that if during the first two hours voters, even in a thin number, cast their votes the poll percentage may increase later.

“The dread has to be removed and that can be done by even a small group of voters who, if untouched by rebels, are able to cast their votes,” said one senior police officer.

Opposition party leaders, especially those belonging to the Congress and the PDP, have been pleading with vicinity leaders in different Assembly segments that poor polling would ensure victory for the National Conference candidates. They have requested voters to take the lead by travelling to the polling stations and if the seven Assembly segments out of 10 in Srinagar district registered 25 per cent to 30 per cent polling, it was likely to affect the National Conference candidates.

If the poor turnout of people to the limited number of pre-poll rallies in eight of the 10 Assembly segments is any indicator not many voters may risk their lives by walking up to the polling stations.

Another police officer said that since a large number of security personnel, nearly 25,000 men, has been deployed in 10 Assembly constituencies in Srinagar district, it may build confidence among the voters.

Contesting political parties evince a keen interest in the polling trends in Srinagar and Budgam district on the plea that the shape polling takes in these two districts will have a fallout in Anantnag and Pulwama districts where the polling under phase III is slated on October 1.

While in the Jammu district peoples’ interest is confined to the victory or defeat of one candidate or the other, in Srinagar district people pray for incident-free polling. “We have had enough of blood shed. Let there be peace on and before the polling days,” said Ghulam Rasool a trader who has decided to keep his shop closed for two days in the Dalgate area of Srinagar.