Final phase defies boycott call

Baramulla Lok Sabha constituency saw 40 per cent polling on Wednesday,unlike the low turnout in Anantnag and Srinagar earlier,despite the separatists boycott call.

The other constituency that went to the polls in the final phase,Ladakh,recorded nearly 60 per cent polling.

The turnout could have been higher but for Sopore and neighbouring Baramulla towns,where separatists had their way. The two towns also saw violence with Baramulla staging a stone-pelting protest and a police vehicle being burnt in Seelu in Sopore.

At polling station No 89 in Sopore,only one out of 1,200 votes had been cast until 2 pm. In booth No 90,four out of 995 votes had been polled. We have little to do, said a presiding officer. Small noisy groups surrounded the booths keeping a watch on potential voters. They shouted slogans and created commotion,occasionally forcing the security forces to break up the crowds. Why should we vote? Who is to account for the sacrifices of the past two decades? said Imtiaz Hakeem in Sopore.

The old town area of Baramulla recorded zero polling.

However,lines of voters lengthened outside the towns. It is their decision not to vote, said Abdul Hamid,a voter in Janbazpora,referring to the towns. We will vote.

Many said the participation of separatist leader Sajad Lone of the Peoples Conference in the election contributed to the turnout. NC and PDP supporters voted to offset the impact of his entry,while Lones own supporters came out to announce their arrival on the political stage. Without the Lone factor,polling wouldnt have been as brisk, said Dr Iqbal Ahmad,a voter outside a Kupwara booth. It has got people excited. Polling for the seat this time is better than the 35.5 per cent turnout in 2004.

Another factor responsible for the turnout was migrant voters. Outside the booth near the migrants camp of Muthi,people stood in long queues. I have voted to keep intact a democratic tradition. Its a vote to ensure that the writ of the Indian Constitution works in Kashmir, said Surinder Raina,a Kashmiri pundit.

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In Ladakh,the turnout was lower than the 70 per cent in 2004,but healthier than other seats in the state. The dip is being attributed to the harsh weather. We are out to vote to choose our representative,who will develop Ladakh, said Dillon Thuptsan.

(With inputs from Jammu)