Gopal Sharma
POONCH, Dec 2: Braving the threat of shelling all along the Line of Control in Poonch and Mendhar constituencies, the border villagers of this entire belt today came out in large number to cast their vote for peace and development.
Majority of the LoC villagers from district Poonch have resolved to vote for seeking development and complete ‘ceasefire’ along the borders. They said that agriculture activities and education of their children has been badly affected with the ceasefire violations for the last several months.
The people residing in the villages closer to the Line of Control like- Salotri, Jallas, Degwar, Balnoi, Sagra, Deri Dabsi, Balakote and Sabjian, without caring for fear for Pakistani shelling came out in large number for exercising their right to vote. The villagers were full of enthusiasm and reporting to their respective polling stations in large number for casting vote since morning. Even the women voters were undeterred and with full of confidence to elect the candidate of their choice.
The villagers of this entire LoC belt right from Balakote to Mandi block in Poonch are confronted with lot of problems including Pakistani shelling, infiltration of militants, scarcity of basic amenities like water, electricity, healthcare facilities, ration and kerosene oil. Majority of villagers with whom the Excelsior teams interacted claimed that their major issues have remained unresolved and this time they have made up their mind to vote for development. “We will elect a candidate who will promise to solve our long pending issues and is committed to bring some difference in our lives in coming six years. He may be from any party and even an independent. It hardly matters.
At Salotri border village of Poonch-Haveli, where polling station was set up hardly 600 mts away from the LoC in a Govt School building, the people were seen free from any psychological fear despite the fact that this school was targeted by the Pakistani troops by lobbing mortar shells, hardly a month back.
Ex-Sarpanch Mohd Azam disclosed that there were around 900 voters in this hyper-sensitive polling station. There are about 970 voters in Salotri-B station. He said border is just half kilometer away and this Govt Middle School building which was partially damaged in shelling last month. The people have come out in large number to cast their vote. Azam claimed that this school came up in 1967 and since then it was not upgraded. Only assurances were given by the respective MLAs. Worst is the condition of road to this village. People are facing acute shortage of water. Army vehicles often provide them water and electric transformers are not replaced for weeks and months together. Electric wires are tied on green trees. There is no hospital or dispensary in the area “ The people are fed up with the present regime as they did nothing to address main issues of the public. They have made up their mind to elect candidate who will ensure development in the area and work for bringing ceasefire along LOC,” Azam maintained.
Not only Azam, but 120-year-old Alam Din, assisted by his family members cast his vote at this polling station for peace along LoC and development of the area. He described these elections as very peaceful and smooth and maintained that such a large number of people have turned out for polling he has never seen earlier.
Ashok Kumar, an ex-serviceman at Jhallas polling station said that there was huge enthusiasm among the voters of this border belt. He said people of this area are still facing water problem. Though road condition has little improved but people are still deprived of basic amenities. Panch, Ch Faiz Mohd of Nai Basti (Jhallas) said that up-gradation of Govt High School was long pending demand of the people of this area. He said one bridge in the area was damaged in recent floods and could not be restored. Some water pumping stations were also got damaged and water supply to several areas has been hit. People affected with flood were not provided any relief. There is strong resentment among the people of the area and they want to give vote for a change and development.
72-year-old Khem Raj at Magnad polling station said that flood and rain affected people were assured free ration but here even routine CAPD ration supply is not available regularly to the people. Sugar supply is hardly made available to them. No flood relief was provided and only false assurances are given. Khem Raj also supported the mood of the people from this border belt indicating that wave of little change is blowing this time.
Ch Lal Hussain at Khanetar polling station having nearly 1200 voters, alleged that huge rush of voters is there at the station since morning. He said only one small room for polling station has been kept in Veterinary hospital complex. “We every time demanded change of this polling station to nearby Govt school but administration has turned blind eye towards this issue. I came here at 9 am and it is around 2 pm and I could not cast vote till now. At least two polling booths should be there. Old men and women can not stand in the queues so long. This was requested to the Tehsildar and even to the MLA but nobody listens,” Hussain added.
At Laolbela Rajpura in Mandi block of Poonch, Fazal Hussain alleged that this area now falls in Surankote constituency while it is more closer to Mandi. People are annoyed with this division as they want to remain with Haveli. There is lot of resentment among the people and anti-establishment factor will play key role in this entire belt. Over 2500 souls of this area are not happy with this move and they even launched long struggle for it but nobody cares. Charanjeet Kumar of Rajpura also expressed resentment for connecting these people with Surankote constituency and alleged that they fell victims to political conspiracy.
Moulvi Makhan Hussain at Sathra (Gali Pindi) area alleged that 15 years back road was constructed but its condition is worst even today. People are facing acute shortage of water in several morhas and electricity supply is inadequate. The issues of the people could not be resolved and therefore, the mood of the people of this belt indicates that they have made up their mind for supporting candidate who can ensure better development. He said common people only want development and prosperity. They have nothing to do with NC, PDP, Congress or BJP. For the sake of development and peace along borders, they will vote for the candidate who is committed and ready to help them.
Nazir Husasain from Deri Dabsi in Mendhar constituency whose village is on that side of the fencing said that people are deprived of basic facilities like water, electricity, healthcare etc. There is no road to the area and no proper public transport system. People are not happy with the system and may vote for another candidate this time. Mohd Hussain from Panjni area of Balakote also expressed that for peace along border and development of the area, the people would elect a committed and dedicated candidate.
There were totally 124 polling stations in Mendhar of which five were on that side of the fencing much closer to LOC, 50 hyper-sensitive and 35 sensitive. There are total 80819 voters in this constituency. In Poonch Haveli there were total 144 polling stations and 40 were sensitive and 50 hyper-sensitive whereas, in Surankote there were total 121 polling stations of which 30 were hyper-sensitive and 67 sensitive. Total 389 polling stations had been set up in Poonch district for polling today.
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