J-K geared up for 4th round of polls

The stage is set for the crucial fourth phase of assembly polls to be held on Sunday in 18 constituencies spread across four districts of Jammu and Kashmir.

The stage is set for the crucial fourth phase of assembly polls to be held on Sunday in 18 constituencies spread across four districts of Jammu and Kashmir.

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Tight security arrangements have been made in view of recurrent attempts by militants to disrupt the poll process.

As many as 119 companies of central security forces besides 108 companies of local police have taken positions well in advance around 1,836 polling booths in Baramulla, Budgam, Reasi and Udhampur to instill confidence among nearly 14 lakh voters and foil militants attempt to disrupt the electoral process, officials said.

Almost all polling booths have been put under hypersensitive and sensitive categories, they said.

Hours before the campaign ended last evening, militants made an abortive attempt on the life of senior National Conference (NC) leader Sheikh Mustafa Kamal, who is contesting from Gulmarg constituency of Baramulla district. Militants hurled a grenade towards the cavalcade of Kamal at Chandiloora village of Tangmarg but the device failed to explode.

Violence has cast its shadow on campaigning in Baramulla district as well. Four persons, including a Congress activist, have been killed and several others injured in separate incidents since the start of electioneering last month.

Despite militants attacks, intense electioneering has been seen in these constituencies.

Meanwhile, in the fourth round of the seven-phase assembly elections in the state, 18 constituencies--Rafiabad, Sopore, Sangrama, Baramulla, Gulmarg, Pattan (Baramulla district), Chadoora, Budgam, Beerwah, Khansahib and Chare-e-Sharief (Budgam district), Gulabgarh, Reasi and Gool Arnas (Reasi district), Udhampur, Chenani and Ramnagar (Udhampur district) are going
to polls on Sunday.