The Hindu : Lone's killing dampens campaign

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Sep 14, 2002

Other States

Other States - Jammu & Kashmir

Lone's killing dampens campaign

By Shujaat Bukhari

KUPWARA SEPT. 13. The killing of Jammu and Kashmir's Law Minister, Mushtaq Ahmed Lone, on Wednesday has dampened the spirits of those enthusiastically participating in the electoral process in this part of the Kashmir Valley. The parties have curtailed their campaigning, and the people are also distancing themselves from poll meetings.

North Kashmir, particularly Kupwara district has surprised observers with its unprecedented public enthusiasm in the electoral process. The filing of nomination by at least three former members of the People's Conference added to the fever. These parts witnessed mammoth rallies under the shadow of militant threats. The first setback came when an independent candidate from Handwara, Sheikh Abdur Rehman was gunned down in broad daylight along with six others, leading to a fear psychosis.

However, Lone's killing is seen as a severe blow to the election process, which were believed to be going smoothly, inspite of the fact that violence had gone up claiming the lives of 70 political workers since August 2. ``If a Minister is not safe, how can a commoner live after casting his vote?'' asked Manzoor Ahmed, a shopkeeper in Kupwara. In the past few days militants have stepped up their anti-election activities, targetting VIPs.

In most parts of Kupwara and Baramulla districts, which go to polls in the first phase on September 16, the buntings and banners have abruptly disappeared and there are fewer campaign vehicles. Politicians admit that they were facing a high level of threat and scaled down their campaign.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Other States

Stories in this Section

Protesters, police clash in Srinagar

Lone's killing dampens campaign