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Ultras want to keep Kashmir pot boiling
The frightening fire and fury unleashed by the terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir to disrupt elections underscores their determination to prove the disputed status of the state.
The frightening fire and fury unleashed by the militants in Jammu and Kashmir to disrupt the election process underscores their determination to prove the disputed status of the state.
Essentially, they want to show to the world that the Kashmir pot continues to boil despite claims to contrary. Their resolve to defeat the election process is hardened by the success of the 2002 Assembly polls, which even the international community hailed as a genuine expression of the democratic right of the people.
But a closer look at some of the acts of violence has raised several questions, prompting observers to point out that the violence may not be purely militant in nature.
Immediately after the attack on her party rally in Uri, in which two cabinet ministers had providential escape, PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti said it was not the handiwork of militants. She instead blamed the Congress, a coalition partner in the state, for the incident.
Then on polling day on April 20, there were several attacks in Pattan and Lolab where the opposition National Conference is in a strong position. On the same day, Omar Abdullah also escaped an assassination attempt.
Poll pick:Exil poll hearing
The SC will hear on Monday a PIL seeking ban on opinion
and exit polls till the elections are completed
Deposit paid in coins
Kuppal Devadas, an independent candidate in South Chennai, submitted his deposit amount of Rs 10,000 in one rupee coins. He carried the amount in five gunny bags
Snag in Nitish’s copter
Nitish’s chopper developed a snag and made an emergency landing in Bihar’s Gopalganj district
New BJP candidate
The BJP named Swami Raghavanand as its new candidate from Hisar. It had to drop its earlier nominee because his name was not in the voters list.
Observer for Pratapgarh
The EC posted another special observer for Pratapgarh following complaints by Congress candidate Ratna Kumari Singh
