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Intimidators to be dealt with sternly, warns poll
officer A soldier walks past Kashmiri officials with polling material waiting for transportation in Baramula on Monday. Anti-poll campaigners
detained Ropeway between Vaishno Devi, Bhairon
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Intimidators to be dealt with sternly, warns poll
officer Jammu, April 19 The warning comes amidst reports of certain separatist elements threatening people to keep away from the polling booths. Mr Nimesh, who was talking to mediapersons here, said all arrangements had been completed for free and fair poll for the two constituencies tomorrow. He urged the electorate in the two constituencies not to be scared of the boycott call given by certain groups and come out in a large number to exercise their franchise. He said he was optimistic of a good turnout of voters because of enthusiasm among the electors and the intensive campaigning. Nearly 1,450 election rallies have taken place in the state since March 1 that indicates massive campaigning by all political parties. As many as 28 election-related incidents have taken place resulting in the death of 17 persons and injuries to 75. An electorate of 27,92,836 — 9,40,998 in Baramulla and 18,51,838 in Jammu — would elect their representatives. 1,167 polling stations have been set up in Baramulla and 1,822 in Jammu. Baramulla has 619 hyper-sensitive and 526 sensitive polling stations, while in Jammu the number of hyper-sensitive polling stations is 246 and 476 are sensitive. As many as 32 candidates are in the fray for the two seats, this includes 26 in Jammu and 6 in Baramulla. Prominent among them are, Mr Madan Lal Sharma (Congress), Dr Nirmal Singh (BJP) and Mr Surjeet Singh (National Conference) in Jammu. The coalition partners of the PDP and Congress have crossed swords in the Baramulla constituency where the prominent candidates are Mr Abdul Rasheed Shaheen (NC), Mr Ghulam Rasool Kar (Congress) and Mr Nizam-ud-din Bhat (PDP). Nearly 600 companies of the BSF, CRPF and other para-military forces have been deployed for incident-free elections in the state. Besides, the Army has done area domination. Checking of vehicles has been intensified at all entry points in Jammu and Baramulla. The police has set up pickets at strategic points and the polling stations would be protected. The election commission has taken strict action on complaints of violation of the Model Code of conduct and 59 government officials, including 30 in Budgam,21 in Rajouri, 6 in Doda and 2 in Jammu, have been placed under suspension. Electronic machines will be used for polling in all booths this time. UNI adds from Baramula: Security forces have been put on a red alert in view of the heightened threat perception and poll boycott and general strike call given by separatist organisations in Baramulla constituency. Security forces have detained about 60 criminals, trouble makers and former militants as Hizbul Mujahideen and Lashker-e-Toiba posters had appeared in the constituency, spread over twin border district of Baramulla and Kupwara, asking people to stay away from the poll. —
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Anti-poll campaigners detained Srinagar, April 19 Nineteen activists of the Kashmir Salvation Movement were detained at Regal Chowk on the Residency road and lodged in the Kothibagh police station as they tried to march to the office of the United Nations Military Observers Group for India and Pakistan at Sonawar. Mamoosi, before he was detained, said elections were not a solution to the Kashmir problem, but could only become a cause of more bloodshed in the state. Six leaders of the People’s league (Shiekh Aziz group) were detained at Lal Chowk here when they tried to stage an anti-poll march. Prominent among those detained included Mukhtar Ahmad Sofi and Shiekh Zahoor. Jammu and Kashmir Democratic Freedom Party (JKDFP) chief Shabir Ahmed, along with 25 of his supporters, including Mohammad Abdullah Tari, was also taken into preventive custody at Saibugh in Badgam district. The police swung into action after Mr Shah, along with his supporters, started asking people to boycott the election process. Mr Shah was reportedly on way to Beerwah and other areas in connection with the anti-poll campaign. Mr Shah had recently launched “Kafila-e-Shaheen” asking voters to stay away from the election process. He said the anti-poll campaign would continue. “This is to educate the people that election or selection would not help restore peace in the sub-continent”, he added. “The only way to make south Asia peaceful is to settle the Kashmir issue once and for all with the involvement of the people of Kashmir”, he said. Meanwhile, a report from Baramulla said on the eve of polling in the constituency, spread over 15 assembly segments, Hizbul Mujahideen and Lashker-e-Toiba posters had appeared in some areas asking people to stay away from the election process. The posters, which were also pasted on the walls in local mosques, directed people to remain indoors during the polling. The outfits have also threatened of dire consequences, if anyone violated their warning. —
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Ropeway between Vaishno Devi, Bhairon Ghati Jammu, April 19 Announcing the ropeway project yesterday, Jammu and Kashmir Governor S. K. Sinha said, “The project will give a big boost to pilgrim tourism as the facility will be immensely beneficial to the yatris.” The Governor, who is also the Chairman of the shrine board, inspected various ongoing developmental projects being undertaken by the board at the base camp and took stock of the arrangements for the yatris. The Chief Executive Officer, Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (MVDSB), Dr Arun Kumar, briefed the Governor about various facilities being arranged all along the route and said over 54 lakh devotees paid obeisance at the shrine last year. The Vaishno Devi shrine emerged as the second most revered shrine in terms of devotees after the Tirupati Balaji shrine in south India, he said. —
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The Chief Electoral Officer, Mr B.L. Nimesh, today warned that any type of intimidation during tomorrow’s polling for the Baramulla and Jammu Lok Sabha seats would be dealt with sternly.
The warning comes amidst reports of certain separatist elements threatening people to keep away from the polling booths.
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