All those participating in this traumatic democratic exercise are potential targets. And the inadequate security given to the candidates is an open invitation to the renegades. The pro-democracy forces do not have adequate resources to counter the macabre dance of death.

All the 18 candidates live in heavily fortified houses ringed by armed CRPF jawans, who also escort them when they are on the move. Former Union Home Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed and National Conference nominee Ali Mohammad Naik have the biggest security cordons. For the Mufti, the Centre has sent a special squad of ITBP commandos. Most of the candidates have been given one bullet-proofvehicle each by the state government. But this security paraphernalia is not good enough to enthuse the candidates and their workers.

A fortnight back, the BJP candidate and two others were blown to smithereens when an improvised explosive devise planted by the terrorists blew up his motorcade, resulting in postponement of the polling. The Mufti and his daughter, Mehbooba, have escaped an attempt on their lives. The Chief Minister's younger brother and a senior minister in his cabinet, Dr Mustafa Kamal, was also lucky enough to survive an attack on him while he was campaigning though one of his securitymen was killed.

To add to the drama, when the BJP sent Dr Abdul Rehman to file his nomination papers, his eight-year-old son was plucked from the road, prompting him to opt out. Rehman alleges that his rivals in the party and not the terrorists were behind the incident. He secured the release of his son after paying a ransom of Rs 2.5 lakh. Meanwhile, the BJP nominated Shauqat Wani for the seat.

If theizzat of the ruling National Conference is at stake here, so are the lives of Mufti and 17 other candidates. The constituency is spread across 16 assembly segments and there is hardly any area which can be described as safe. ``You venture 10 km out of town on any side and you are not safe,'' says Congress state general secretary Taj Mohiuddin.

However, this has not deterred candidates from trying their luck. In fact, the number of candidates here is much more than in Srinagar or Baramulla. Nearly every party, big or small, has fielded its candidate. Janata Dal (United), Janata Party, Lok Shakti, Rashtriya Lok Dal, Samajwadi Janata Party (Rashtriya), J K Awami League and Panthers Party are in the fray here. There are two women even Aisha of Rashtriya Lok Dal and Hafeeza Begum, an independent. They are, however, nowhere to be seen.

The campaigning was about to climax when the killing of the BJP candidate slowed down the process. And the terrorist outfits are working hard to ensure that it stays that way.The separatist All Parties Hurriyat Conference is also on the job calling for a poll boycott.

It is likely to be a straight contest between Ali Mohammad Naik (NC) and the Mufti, who is contesting as a candidate of his fledgling party, the PDP. Congress candidate Peerzada Mohammad Sayed is hardly in the race. The lone flag-bearer of the CPM in the Valley, legislator Mohammad Yusuf Tarigami, is also contesting though it is believed he has been fielded by the NC to cut into Mufti's votes. Tarigami's supporters deny the charge saying Tarigami is a serious candidate and will give a good fight.

Most of the Central leaders are being advised against visiting Anantnag. State Congress president Chaudhary Aslam has been stranded in Srinagar for the past few days as he has not been provided a single personal security officer. The threat perception is likely to increase as electioneering reaches its last leg in the coming weeks.