NEW DELHI: With militant groups like Hizbul Mujahideen and Lashker-e-Toiba urging the people to boycott the local body elections, the chances of a free and fair poll seem quite bleak.
The militant groups have conveyed their message in clear terms through posters seen at strategically important positions like outside mosques, prominent places in rural areas like Shopian, Sopore and Bandipora in the Valley. All these locations have been put under high alert, informed sources said.
Although an intelligence official put the number of active militants in the valley at around 300 only, he said they were enough to create sense of insecurity among the people. To make things worse, there has already been a political killing last week. A National Conference worker was shot dead in South Kashmir. “Police, paramilitary forces, Army and intelligence agencies are working in coordination on counter-insurgency operations so that we are able to get the militants before they can cause any serious damage,” he said.The threat of the militants has already affected the process adversely. Three dozen candidates in Qoimoh block in Anantnag district have been declared unopposed. as there was only one contestant for these seats. Qoimoh block, which had witnessed more than 70% turn out in 2008 Assembly elections, will be going to polls on April 13.
The Panchayat elections are being hed after a span of ten years as the state has lost somewhat around 300 crore annually in assistance under Centrally sponsored schemes.
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