Baramulla did wonders

Jammu and Kashmir: There was a time in Jammu and Kashmir when it was very difficult to conduct elections. The smell of bullets and gunpowder used to be felt in the air. But this time the atmosphere has changed. Voters have created history in Baramulla. 59% voting took place here. This is the highest voting ever in the history of the region. Former terrorists, families of terrorists and members of Jamaat-e-Islami took part in the voting for peace and a better future.

Families of terrorists also voted

Active terrorist Umar’s brother Rauf Ahmed voted from Ussu village, a stronghold of separatists. In the last five elections, there has not been more than 2-3% voting in this area, but on Monday there was a lot of voting here. While appealing to his brother and the people of the area, Rauf urged to end the violence and return to the path of peace and progress. Not only Rauf and his family but also former terrorist Javed Ahmed Bhat and former general secretary of the banned Jamaat-e-Islami organization voted with the hope of a better and beautiful future.

Rauf Ahmed also appealed to his brother to come back home and renounce violence. Talking about the positive changes in the Pattan area, once notorious for unrest, Rauf appealed to the people to cast their votes.

Rauf said while talking, ‘I voted on my own will in the morning. I had come with my mother and brothers. Today people are voting in large numbers. Voting is the only way to get our rights. My brother has been an active terrorist of Lashkar for the last six years. I appeal to him to return home. Our mother is ill and keeps crying for Umar. My brother did not even call at the time of my father’s death. I appeal to him to return home.”

The story of terrorist-turned-BJP worker Javed

Taking forward his story of transformation, former terrorist-turned-BJP worker Javed Ahmed Bhat shared his journey from a difficult past to a hopeful future. Casting his vote for the development of Jammu and Kashmir, Javed credited the initiatives of the central government after 2019 for the positive change in the region.

Javed said, ‘I voted for the development of Jammu and Kashmir, earlier the situation in Jammu and Kashmir was not good, but after 2019 when the central government took control of the Jammu and Kashmir administration, the situation has started improving in every aspect.’

He said that my past as a terrorist is a nightmare and after realizing my mistake I left that madness and joined the mainstream BJP.

Ghulam Qadir Lone also casts vote

Meanwhile, Jamaat-e-Islami, which was once considered the parent organization of Hizbul-Mujahideen, was banned under UAPA due to its anti-India ideology. Now it has also changed its stand and wants to participate in the elections when the ban is lifted. Today, former Jamaat general secretary Ghulam Qadir Lone also cast his vote in Sopore town with the hope that he will participate in the electoral process after the ban is lifted.

Lone said, ‘We have been voting since 1969, but when Muslim Mutahida Mahaz was formed, the elections were rigged and we lost faith in voting. But now it seems that the Indian government has understood that the situation in Kashmir has worsened due to rigging in elections and it seems that this will not happen in future. If the ban is lifted, So not only me but the entire party will participate in the elections.’

Chief Electoral Officer Pandurang Kondbarao Pole said that 59 percent voting took place in Baramulla. There was no violence during this time. The people of Baramulla have created history today by registering the highest ever voting percentage for a parliamentary seat and the election day was free from violence.

Crowds seen at voting centers in Baramulla

It seemed like a festival in Baramulla today. Huge crowds of voters from different backgrounds were seen at every polling station, who were united in search of progress and stability. Youth, male and female voters gathered at polling stations, full of aspirations for development, employment and peace.

Shamim Ahmed came to vote at Shadipora polling station. He said, ‘We have voted for a better future and development. We believe that vote is the power of a common man and it can bring change at the grassroots level. We also want change. Want a better voice in Parliament that can provide us a better life.

The fifth phase of polling in Kashmir proved to be an important milestone in the democratic journey, with a smooth and incident-free voting process. Security measures were taken to ensure this. An exciting electoral contest is seen between the main candidates. In Baramulla constituency, there is a triangular contest between former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and former minister Sajjad Gani Lone and former MLA Engineer Rashid, who is contesting from Tihar Jail. Both Omar and Sajjad expressed hope of their victory and praised the heavy voting.

Omar Abdullah also praised

Omar Abdullah said that it is a good thing that the youth are coming out of their homes to vote for their representatives. I have visited many polling stations so far. The reports from other places are also good. Heavy voting is taking place, this is a good thing and votes are being cast for NC. It is a good thing for a politician that people vote in maximum numbers. He said