Srinagar: The run-up to local body elections in the Kashmir valley continues to be a tense and violent affair, with four Panchayat offices set on fire by unknown persons following the announcement for the Panchayat polls scheduled from November 17.
It is pertinent to mention the militants have already warned the candidates over participation in the polls, while the separatists have called for the election boycott.
The scared candidates are now appealing to the government to rethink about holding the elections, saying that they have been made scapegoats in the ongoing conflict.
According to reports, many candidates who are living in a state of fear have migrated to other safer places. The candidates say their lives are not safe but the government is hell bent to hold the election anyhow.
A former Panch from Shopian, who wished not to be named, said many previously-elected Panchs were indecisive about their participation in the backdrop of such incidents. “Many Panchayat members have been killed in the last five years and nobody came forward to take care of their families. Further, an atmosphere is prevailing throughout south Kashmir in which nobody is willing to actually take a risk,” he said.
“Those people who are thinking of participating in the elections…should also remember that we have also brought the sulphuric acid and hydrochloric acid and be prepared for it.” Hizbul-ul-Mujahideen Commander Riyaz Naikoo had said recently in an audio clip.
Two mainstream state parties–PDP and NC–through which New Delhi is ruling the state have decided to boycott the elections. The Congress party also said that the situation is not conducive for elections in the state. However, it eventually decided to contest the elections saying that they can’t leave the ground open for the communal forces while referring to Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) who has decided to contest the elections.
Shafeeq Mir, Chairman, Jammu and Kashmir Panchayat Association (JKPA), while talking to TwoCircles.net said, “It is the responsibility of the government to arrange and create an atmosphere in which elections are conducted smoothly; we can’t blame everything on militants, political conspiracy can also behind the attacks and threats.”
Recently, the Centre has also decided to provide Rs 10 lakh as the insurance cover to each candidate who is participating in the election. The government is hopeful that this move will ensure security and allow more people to participate in the upcoming elections.
However, Shafiq Mir said, “We never wanted an insurance cover for us. We are not contesting elections for this. We only demanded that elections should be held in a secure atmosphere, which is the job of the government and it should ensure this.”
On Friday, the miscreants set ablaze a Panchayat Ghar at village Munad in Yaripora area of Kulgam South Kashmir. However, timely action by locals brought the fire under control with partial damage to the building, informed official sources. This is the eighth such incident reported in the last five days.
Amidst the entire ruckus going around in Kashmir, the Valley prepares to elect 4,130 Sarpanch and 29,719 panchs.