Second phase of panchayat polls held in Kashmir

Despite the killing of a female candidate in the valley’s Badgam district on Friday,locals turned out in large numbers to exercise their franchise.

R.S. Chib,Jammu and Kashmir Technical Education Minister,said that the incident would have no effect on voters.

“There are some forces which are obstructing the polling process like you just mentioned Badgam,but I feel that it will have no effect. As the polling that has taken place so far has been good,people have participated enthusiastically. These elections are not on the party level,hence,I feel,that people should come out and cast their vote in large numbers,” Chib said.

Haseena Akhtar,a 45-year-old candidate contesting the polls for the position of the village council head,was shot dead by unidentified gunmen in her house.

Begum,who was affiliated to the Peoples Democratic Party,was rushed to a hospital,where she succumbed to injuries.

Chib condemned the incident,but said the polls would empower locals.

“I condemn the incident as she has given a sacrifice to strengthen democracy and keep it alive. People in all militancy infested parts of Kashmir want to take part in elections and want to choose their representatives so that power comes in their hands. Hence,I feel,this incident would not have any effect,but we condemn the act,” Chib said.

Around 3,000 security personnel have been deployed for the polls in the state,where a total of 2,139 candidates are in the fray in the second phase.

The first leg of the 16-phase polls was held in eight blocks of the state on April 13. The polls will conclude on June 30.

The panchayat polls held after the successful state Assembly elections in 2008. The last panchayat elections were held in 2001.