Ballot humbles militants and separatists

Can it be called as a new turn in the politics in Kashmir valley and for the better and should the separatists and the militants treat it as such a writing on the wall which declares that Kashmiris are feeling exhausted, weary and jaded with the ongoing aimless violence that brings only death and destruction for them? Have people started seeing through the actual game played by Pakistan in the name of religion in Kashmir for over three decades which has resulted in misleading the gullible youth exploiting their credulity and marring their building of very promising future? If the comparative, very encouraging and impressive turnout of nearly 65% in the first phase of elections to the Panchayats in the Valley are carrying any loaded meaning , they are vividly saying so. It is high time, anti India elements and separatists read the emerging mood of the people, who under the fear of gun, warnings of physical harm, abductions and ultimatums braved all these lurking dangers and came out to cast their votes thus lending a hand of strength to the tenets of democracy at the grass root levels. Fearless and brave voters– you have spoken volumes through your valuable vote and you deserve all the felicitations.
The first phase of polling for the Panchayat elections, considered very crucial and pivotal in Jammu and Kashmir, has recorded a massive turnout of 74.1% – Jammu leading with an impressive 79.4% followed by Ladakh with 65.5% and the Valley with 64.4%. While, out of the total voters numbering 2.95 lacs from Jammu, 2.35 lacs cast their votes , it was 1.05 lac out of 1.63 lacs in Kashmir valley that cast their votes despite as usual those worn out and redundant shutdown calls given by the separatists during which shops and business establishments remained closed in Srinagar City on the day of polling. Kupwara in Kashmir witnessed 72% of turnout while Bandipora 56% and Baramulla an impressive 69.1% , Budgam with 30.1% followed by Ganderbal and Srinagar. Kashmir valley had recorded poor turnout in just concluded Urban Local Bodies elections and the figures of the Panchayat polls are comparatively, thus very significant and encouraging. Those political Parties which boycotted these elections have eaten a humble pie seeing the response of the voters.
Udhampur in Jammu Division topped with 83.6% voting turnout followed by Doda with 80.8% and Kathua with 80% turnout while Rajouri and Poonch both had nearly 79% turnout of votes polled. Kargil in Ladakh recorded 71% while Leh nearly 60% despite severe cold conditions of weather prevailing there.
The most significant aspect of the polls in the first phase of these elections was violence free voting in all the 15 districts in the state including seven in Jammu region, six in Kashmir and two in Ladakh. No violence inviting using of any sort of force was reported from anywhere which not only speaks about the satisfactory arrangements made by the State administrative apparatus but reflects the satisfactory response and the responsible behaviour of the public.
Frustrated, being at their wits ends and marooned in the muddy waters of violence generated by them all these three decades at the behest of Pakistan, militants abducted five people in Shopian (Kashmir) on November 17 and very savagely slit the throat of one 19 year old youth Huzeef Ashraf while rest of the abducted were released. Such actions in utter desperation were going to boomerang against them increasingly day by day and it was the ballot, the vote and the democratic process which were most powerful means destined to turn triumphant and violence and terror were fated to be vanquished.

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