'Zero' voting at 4 polling booths in south Kashmir

Voters in Kashmir may have defied the boycott call given by separatists but "zero" votes were polled at four polling stations of this south Kashmir seat after electors en masse decided to stay away from democratic process alleging discrimination in development and harassment by security forces.

JK Chief Electoral Officer Umang Narula, during the press briefing at Jammu following the conclusion of second phase of polling, said there were four polling stations where 'Zero' votes were polled.

It was a boycott with a difference. Not a single vote was cast at four polling station of this south Kashmir constituency Out of 4,521 eligible voters, just one vote was cast at six polling stations of Bugam and Panivah falling in Kulgam assembly segment in the first three hours of polling.

"We don't have anything to do with the boycott call of Hurriyat Conference. It is the voice of our conscience that we should not vote as our area, which has a population of 15000 souls, has been discriminated against in every respect during the last 18 years," Ali Mohammad, an elderly person, said outside the Bugam polling station.

He said nearby Balosa village was granted a new administrative unit while Bugam was ignored. "Balosa has a population of just 4000. What was the criterion for giving the niabat (sub-Tehsil) to that area?" he asked.

Abdul Gaffar said the area has been fighting for upgradation of the local middle school to high school level for the last 18 years.