| Kupwara people brave chill, separatists | | Vote in large numbers | | Early Times Report
KUPWARA, Dec 2: Large number of voters lined up outside polling stations in Kupwara assembly constituency today as a weak winter sun peeped through the clouds, and voters in a large number defied biting cold and calls given by separatists. Long queues of men and women appeared at polling stations in Karnah, Lolab, Kupwara, Handwara and Langate assembly constituencies of North Kashmir's Kupwara district after polling started on a dull note in the morning at 8: 20 a.m. because of the intense cold. According to the reports from Karnah and Tangdhar the morning cold also affected the early voter turnout in Teethwal, Sogam, Kalaroosa, Kralpora, Chowkibal, Chandigam, and Lalpora, of Karnah and Lolab constituencies in the Kupwara district. Out of 1000 votes at the polling station No Muqam-3, 490 were polled till 2:25 pm and voter queues continued to swell. Voting started on a slow note in the 02 assembly constituencies due to the freezing temperature and foggy weather. Whereas women outnumbered male voters at some polling stations in Handwara and Kupwara assembly segments. Early times spoke to many voters in Kupwara and Lolab assembly constituencies about the development of their area. Mohammad Subhan Mir, 84 of Sogam said that, our leaders had not done anything good for our area, either it is NC or Congress, but this time we will want a change and that is why we are here to vote as vote is our right and we cast it.
I cast the vote in favor of my candidate in the morning and am very happy that my entire family also cast their votes," Mir said.
When asked about the coalition government they said that either it is NC, Congress or BJP who so ever will try to demolish or will think of demolition of Article 370, which has given a special status to Jammu and Kashmir, He /She could never succeed in his/her mission.
Another enthusiastic voter Nisar Ahmad 22, of Kupwara assembly constituency said that, "if we will talk of 2003- 2005, then we will find ourselves that we were in safe hands as of now, he asked why should we boycott here, let us come out and choose out representative who could solve the problem of our area. However "Polling started peacefully at all the 531 polling stations spread over five assembly constituencies of Kupwara districts," an official said. Surprisingly, the effect of poll boycott call given by various separatist groups and militant outfits was nowhere to be seen in the district. |
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