Nishikant Khajuria
BOBIYA BOP (HIRANAGAR), Apr 16: As the Kathua-Udhampur-Doda Parliamentary constituency is all set to go for polls tomorrow, security seems to be the major issue among people of border villages along IB and Hiranagar town, which has witnessed some major terror attacks.
Though people talk of development, unemployment and corruption also, no issue other than security appears to be the deciding factor for the voters here who are eagerly waiting to cast their vote tomorrow.
“The terrorist attacks are major concern for us and therefore all other issues have taken a backseat in election priorities of the people of this border belt,” said Prem Nath, a shopkeeper at Chakra Crossing, which leads to Border Outpost Bobiya, Hiranagar town, Chanderchak and Chadwal.
His views are echoed by another local Rajinder Sharma, a Central Government employee, who opined that people want a strong Government, which can ensure security of commoners. “We have other grievances also and you can judge the same from pathetic condition of roads, irregular supply of drinking water and power, no teachers in schools etc but these local issues have little significance when security of the nation and its people is under threat from enemy,” he explained.
Pertinent to mention here that heavily armed terrorists had struck Hiranagar Police Station and left several cops dead in last September and again on March 28 a similar terrorist attack had taken place at Tarnah and Janglote area.
Earlier in 2002 during Assembly elections, terrorists had shot dead seven people in a deadly attack on a passenger bus just before the third round of polling got under way.
However, notwithstanding the apprehension of fresh attempts by terrorists to trigger violence, people of the area are full of enthusiasm to come out for exercising their democratic right by casting vote on April 17.
“I have failed to understand the reason behind too much enthusiasm of people for casting their vote this election, in which all local issues have virtually lost their significance,” said Swarn Singh with surprise.
Even as the election campaigning remained at low ebb in this border belt where posters and party flags are hardly visible, the people appeared to be well aware of all the ongoing developments at national level, particularly political and poll related, and do not hesitate much in revealing their mind.
According to Puran Chand, an octogenarian of village Bhagwan Chak near IB, the television has made people aware of all political and other events and this was the major reason behind enthusiasm to vote for electing Government.
In the Hiranagar town, where everything appears normal despite repeated terror attacks, people have similar sentiments towards the issue of security. “People are discussing development and other issues but the priority is their security for which they want a strong Government at centre,” said Dheeraj while hinting towards mood of the voters.
Meanwhile, keeping in view the terror threat in wake of elections, unprecedented and fool proof arrangements have already been put in place by the security agencies.
While the BSF has almost doubled the strength of its personnel for round the clock vigil along International Border, a unit of Territorial Army has been deployed along Tarnah nullah. All BSF officers are camping the Border Out Posts for supervising the vigil along border while vacation of the personnel of all ranks has been cancelled till conclusion of elections, sources informed.
According to District SP Kathua, Mohan Lal, the security agencies were fully geared up for peaceful conduct of the elections and additional deployment of CRPF, Border Police Force and Armed Police has been made for the purpose. “Besides, help of Army is also being taken while all inter-State points and routes have been completely plugged off,” he further said adding that people, particularly in border belt, have been sensitized about the possible threats.
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