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NC 'request' turned down

By Harish Khare

New Delhi Sept. 24. The low turnout in various parts of the Srinagar district today triggered bouts of nervousness among the ruling National Conference leaders. By noon, the trend was evident. In a moment of panic, the National Conference made a "request'' that the Border Security Force and other Central forces be pressed into service to make people come out and vote.

However, the Central officials firmly turned down the "request.'' The National Conference leadership was told in no uncertain terms that the "request'' could not be entertained as the job of the security forces was to provide "security,'' and not to be bothered with the low or high voter turnout.

Interestingly enough, the officials did not even feel the need to refer the "request'' to the political leadership. The Chief Election Commissioner, J. M. Lyndogh, had already asserted — much to the annoyance of the political leaders in Delhi and Srinagar — that it was not part of the security forces' duty to bring voters to the polling booth.

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