Uri/ Karnah: The two border villages of Karnah and is witnessing first Assembly polls in a decade far from the sounds of guns and bullets. However, today since 7 am, the sounds of Electronic Voting Machine (EVMs).
Long queues were seen since morning in this picturesque hamlet. “We have always been voting but this time, polling is taking place here without the fear of shells and bullets that would land in our homes, laws and fields. But today, we are voting without fear. We have voted for a change this time as our area needs quality development beyond hollow promises,” said Jibran Khatana, a resident of Karnah.
Shameema Begum, 70, told NVI, this time elections mean a lot for them. “Earlier, people would fear to cast votes as there was a fear that shells may land at the polling booths. I lost my leg in the border shelling in 2012,” she said, adding that “Today’s vote is to ensure development and get my house rebuilt. I have tried to repair my house on my own but couldn’t. My husband died way back in 2010 and I have been feeding four children.”
Abdur Rehman Khatana, a 90-year-old voter, from Karnah said that he is voting to see development in Karnah.
“I want to see transport service, better roads and tap water. I also want to see the ceasefire remain intact, otherwise our life would turn hell again,” he said.
In Uri, there was a festive look outside the polling booths. Abur Razak Pathan, a resident of Nambla village said that Uri has always been neglected by all previous regimes. “We want a change, a real change. We don’t want jobs here but better roads, quality electricity, and education for our children. We also want a ceasefire pack to stay between the two countries,” Pathan said.
He said if a ceasefire is violated by the two countries, Uri will become a hell again. Pertinently, the two countries are maintaining the sanctity of the ceasefire pace in spirit which has benefited the people living close to the border in Kashmir and Jammu regions.
Lateef Ahmed Khatana, a local Sarpanch in Jabla village, told NVI that education is the first priority for the people of Uri. “We are voting for a candidate who will ensure schools are upgraded and teachers are brought in here for all educational schools. Besides, we need improvements in transport service and tap water in our houses,” he said.
Serpentine queues were seen outside all polling booths in Uri, where people were witnessing first Assembly polls far from the shadow of shells and bullets. (News Vibes of India)
