Gopal Sharma
JAMMU/POONCH, Apr 11: Enthusiasm ran high among the voters residing closer to the Line of Control (LoC) and International Border (IB) today, who came out in large number to exercise their democratic right to cast vote for the Lok Sabha election in Jammu-Poonch constituency, despite threat of Pak guns.
Since early morning, the people of the entire border belt including Poonch, Mendhar, Rajouri, Nowshera, Sunderbani, Chhamb/Khour, Suchetgarh, RS Pura, Vijaypur and Samba belt, who are mostly farmers, started making long queues at their respective polling stations. Rejecting the Pak guns, these border people who have become habitual of living under shelling from across the border, recorded highest turn over as compared to the other areas of Jammu-Poonch Parliamentary constituency.
Even several polling booths in Pargwal area of Chhamb, Ramgarh area of Vijaypur, Suchetgarh in RS Pura sector, Nowshera in Rajouri and Mendhar and Poonch areas have shown even more than 80 to 90 % polling. About 80 % polling in border constituency of Suchetgarh in Jammu, nearly 73 % in Vijaypur in district Samba, over 75 % in Chhamb (Khour) in Jammu, 76 % in Mendhar (Poonch) and over 75 % in Nowshera segment in district Rajouri indicated that border dwellers have shown great interest in exercising their democratic right and performing their duty towards country. The figures self speak about the level of enthusiasm among the border dwellers in first phase of this Lok Sabha elections.
It is pertinent to mention here that especially in Poonch, Mendhar, Balakote, Mankote, Nowshera and Rajouri sectors, the Pakistani shelling for the last about two months has become routine. Even the cross LoC bus and the trade on both the sides between Poonch and Rawlakote has been suspended for the last about one week in view of the border tension. Displaying courage and rejecting Pak guns, the voters came out in huge number to their polling stations. There was no report of shifting of any of the border polling stations amongst the 38 falling between 0-5 kms from LoC in Poonch. Even in Rajouri sector as well, no border polling station out of total 51, said to have been shifted, as situation along the LoC remained almost normal today.
Excelsior teams paid extensive visits to the border and other areas of Jammu-Poonch Lok Sabha constituency and talked to cross section of people today. One Mohd Hanief from Sial Karmara polling station, just 300 mtrs from the LoC in Poonch, revealed that shelling has become a routine affair for the people of this belt.
He said over 80 % polling was expected at this station by evening. Hanief said “we want strong Government at the Centre which can ensure better development of this border area.” He said good road up to village and bunkers to protect themselves from Pak shelling are the two major issues of the people of this belt. Mohd Junaid from Karmara village of Poonch also projected the demand of bunkers, good roads and telecommunication besides drinking water for the area. He maintained that he has voted for the better development of his village.
Sarpanch Sarwinder Singh from Degwar LoC village in Poonch, claimed that without caring for Pak shelling, the people in huge number have come out to cast their vote. Hardly few days ago, there was shelling on this village from Pak side. The people of this belt are brave and do not want to waste their vote. He said today the voter is aware and wants to contribute for the formation of good Government. Bansi Lal from the same village who was standing in a queue at the local Govt School to cast vote said that purpose of casting vote is to ensure development of the area. He said people here perform their duty but the elected representative from BJP was hardly seen in their area. People need bunkers but the pace of work was very slow.
Ex-Naib Sarpanch from Balnoi, Parvez Ahmed said that people do not care for border firing and have grown up under this atmosphere. He said people cast their vote every time in good number but despite that they have been deprived of basic facilities like road, water and power supply. Even the bunkers have not been provided at the village. The people here stalled process for some time during morning hours but later with the intervention of SDM and SDPO, the polling started around 1 pm.
Ayaz Ahmed from Balakote in Poonch also projected demands of early construction of bunkers and better health care, water and road facilities. He rejected the fear of firing among the voters, claiming that people are very brave in this belt.
Mohd Aslam from Pukharni area of Lam in Nowshera Assembly segment said that this village has polling station hardly 350-400 mtrs from the LoC. But over 80 % people have cast their vote. He said Pak shelling is routine affair for them and it can not deter them in exercising their right to vote. Aslam said early construction of bunkers, adequate drinking water and power supply and good road network are the basic issues of the people of this belt. They hoped their new representative would resolve their issues.
Mohd Shakeel Sarpanch from Paryari in Manjakote area of Rajouri said that people of this LoC belt have took part in poll process with great enthusiasm. Higher turnout was reported in this LoC belt of Manjakote. Nissar Numberdar from LoC village Panjgrain projected demand of road and bunkers, stating that people have been taking part in good number in election process. He said they have voted for a change and better development in the area.
Jai Singh from Pargwal village of Chhamb Assembly segment said that highest turn over of about 80 % has been recorded in this island area of Jammu border district. He said even at Bhalwal Molu station 90 % poling was recorded today. About a dozen polling stations in this belt have touched this figure.
Singh said people of Pargwal have faced worst situation many times due to Pak firing and they do not bother at all. He said the people have voted for better development and strengthening their country. They want strong and stable Govt at the Centre which can deal with Pakistan and terrorism in better way. One Surinder Kumar from Panjtoot area of Pallanwalla said he has voted for a change and better development of the area.
Mohinder Singh from Suchetgarh, Parvinder Singh from Arnia in Bishnah segment and Ch Sham Lal from Avtal area of Ramgarh in Vijaypur Assembly segment also expressed similar views, claiming that they have voted for better development and exercising their democratic right. They said with the casting of vote they hope that their representative would take better care of their respective areas. They further said that border people are brave and they have become habitual of living under such conditions.
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