The Hindu : Good turnout in Pampore by-election

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Feb 27, 2003

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National

Good turnout in Pampore by-election

By Shujaat Bukhari

JAMMU FEB. 26. Braving threats from militants and ignoring boycott calls from separatists, people in the Pampore Assembly segment today turned out in large numbers to cast their vote in the by-election. A turnout of 40 per cent was recorded as against the 19 per cent in the September-October elections last year.

The official spokesman, K.B. Jandial, said great enthusiasm was observed among the voters and that the election process was carried out smoothly. "People have once again demonstrated their commitment to democracy," he said, referring to the hugely-improved turnout of voters.Reports said long queues were seen outside polling booths. The polling started on a dull note due to rain but picked up later. No fear was seen on the faces of people nor were any complaints of coercion recorded. Militants, for the first time, did not carry out any attacks to disrupt the poll.

The by-election was necessitated after the MLA, Abdul Aziz Mir, was gunned down by militants in December. People waited in serpentine queues to vote in Konibal, from where Mir hailed. By noon, the turnout had crossed 40 per cent with 500 votes — of the total 1,300 — having been polled. Places such as Padgampora, Lethpora and Kakpora also witnessed brisk polling. Even in Pampore town, where the people had staged demonstrations angered by the demolitions carried out by the Government, the turnout was not bad.

Hurriyat leaders held

Police arrested some leaders of the All-Party Hurriyat Conference, including Bashir Ahmed Butt, Khalil Mohammad and Javed Mir, during midnight raids at their homes after there was apprehension that they could try to disrupt the poll. The house of another Hurriyat leader, Shahidul Islam, was also raided many times.

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