The Hindu : Heavy security in J&K on eve of counting

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Oct 10, 2002

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Heavy security in J&K on eve of counting

Srinagar Oct. 9. Apprehending suicide attacks by militants who killed hundreds of people in poll-related violence in Jammu and Kashmir, a massive security dragnet was today thrown over all the centres where votes will be counted tomorrow.

Helicopters will be pressed in service to prevent rocket attacks and all areas falling within a radius of one kilometre from the 15 counting centres have been cordoned off, 24 hours before the counting of votes starting at 8 a.m.

Security personnel have sanitised areas around the counting centres and have taken up position on surrounding buildings.

The Election Commission has deployed nearly 60 observers in the State to monitor the counting.

Prohibitory orders have been clamped on the entire valley with the authorities today banning procession or assembly of five or more persons in Baramulla, Pulwama and Anantnag districts.

In continuing violence in the State, five militants and four securitymen were among 11 persons killed and 15 injured as militants detonated four powerful explosions, including one aimed at security personnel escorting officials carrying polling materials, since last night, a police spokesman said today.

The fate of 710 candidates, including the National Conference Chief Ministerial candidate, Omar Abdullah, the Jammu and Kashmir People's Democratic Party leader, Mehbooba Mufti, and several other political stalwarts, is sealed in the electronic voting machines, used for the first time in the State in the four-phased polling spread over September and October.

Two candidates have already been declared elected unopposed in Leh district.

Counting will be held at three centres in Doda district which registered the highest 52 per cent voting.

Amidst predictions of a fractured mandate in the elections, the Congress today said all options were open for a tie-up with the PDP for government-formation but ruled out any truck with National Conference for this.

On the other hand, the NC president, Omar Abdullah, said the party would not rush to government formation if it did not get simple majority on its own.

The Congress spokesman, S. Jaipal Reddy, told reporters in New Delhi that the party would not be averse to forming a government with the help of independents and like-minded parties.

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