Areas along International Border in Jammu division vote for peace

Areas in the Jammu division along the International Border (IB), which used to face shelling from Pakistan till 2021, today witnessed highest polling percentage in the third and final phase of the J&K Assembly elections.

The polling was held in 24 seats in Jammu, Kathua, Samba and Udhampur on Tuesday. As many as 16 seats in the Kashmir region also went to the polls.

Akhnoor (SC), which had witnessed some of the worst ceasefire violations, saw the highest voter turnout of 79.70 per cent across J&K till 5 pm. The Chhamb sector also witnessed a good voter turnout of 79 per cent. Areas in Kathua and Samba along the IB also saw impressive polling.

India and Pakistan agreed to observe ceasefire along the IB and Line of Control (LoC) in February 2021. Prior to that, areas close to the border were pounded with bombs from Pakistan side, which led to loss of lives and damage to properties.

The Udhampur East constituency, which witnessed an interesting contest between BJP candidate RS Pathania and party rebel Pawan Khajuria, recorded 77 per cent polling. Another BJP rebel Balwan Singh was also contesting from the seat on the J&K Panthers Party ticket.

As many as 65 per cent polling was witnessed in the RS Pura-Jammu South constituency, another area along the IB. Congress candidate and party's working president Raman Bhalla was contesting against BJP's Narinder Singh Raina from this constituency. Lone woman candidate Pavneet Kour of Apni Party was also in the fray from this seat.

Shanti Devi, 56, a resident of Suchetgarh, said the area witnessed several ceasefire violations till 2021. "We voted for peace as it was our only basic need. We hope that peace will continue in villages along the border," she said.

The Nagrota seat also witnessed an interesting contest. There was a fight between senior BJP leader Devender Singh Rana, Congress' Balbir Singh and National Conference's Joginder Singh. The Congress and the NC were in a 'friendly' contest from the seat. However, it is believed that the presence of two alliance partner is likely to dent the vote percentage. The constituency witnessed 77.60 per cent voter turnout.

Experts are also keeping an eye on seats in Kathua district where influence of senior Congress leader Lal Singh is likely to play its role. Singh himself is contesting from Basohli seat, which witnessed 69.37 per cent polling. Bani recorded 75 per cent polling, Billawar 71 per cent, JAmritsarota 74.26 per cent, Kathua (SC) 72.20 per cent and Hiranagar saw 72 per cent polling in Kathua.

While talking to the media, Lal Singh said the NC and Congress would form the government in J&K.

A total of seven SC reserved seats - Akhnoor, Marh, Suchetgarh, Bishnah, Ramgarh, Kathua and Ramnagar - also went to the polls.

DSP injured in Billawar encounter casts vote

Meanwhile, in a display of grit and determination, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), who was injured in a firing by terrorists in Billawar, also cast his vote in Udhampur district. DSP Sukhbir Singh, along with other policemen and the Army, engaged a group of highly trained terrorists in Kog village of Billawar in Kathua district recently. A head constable died during the encounter, while Singh sustained injuries on his arm. Despite his injuries, Singh, accompanied by his wife, visited a polling station in the Tehsildar office complex in Udhampur to exercise his franchise.

Impressive voter turnout

• Chhamb sector also witnessed good voter turnout of 79 per cent.
• Areas in Kathua and Samba along the IB also saw impressive polling.
• The RS Pura-Jammu South constituency, another area along IB, recorded 65 per cent polling.