• Ground Reality by MANITHAM

Security Forces coercion the voter in Kashmir Valley [Click image to read in Tamil] Courtesy : MAKKAL URIMAI

New United Progressive Alliance [UPA] government has been taken charge due to a sea change of the people’s verdict in the recently held parliament election in India. In the Parliament election, World as well Indian people's view focused with eagerly on a particular State. i.e. Kashmir.

A team of Non-Governmental Organisations [NGO] and Human Rights Organisations from various parts of India, voluntarily conducted an Independent Election Observe [IEO] in Kashmir with the help of local NGO Group, JKCCS, situated at Srinagar, Kashmir.

Four phase of elections were held at Kashmir. On behalf of MANITHAM - a Human Rights Organisation based in Tamil Nadu, Southern part of India, its Executive Director, Mr. Agni Subramaniam was one among the IEOs and observed the First 2 phase elections held at Jammu  & Kashmir [J & K]. The excerpts of his views:

Question : You are saying that you were observed 2 phase elections at Kashmir. In which way you have observed?

Agni Subramaniam : In J & K, there were 6 parliamentary constituencies. Elections were held in 4 phases. I observed First 2 phase elections. [I phase in Jammu & in Barammulla and II phase in Srinagar].

At Barammulla, I went to rural areas like Sopur and Rafiabad. These are very border areas of Pakistan. I met lot of people. As per my knowledge, I can tell that Kashmiris has not casted their vote willingly. This is true story.

In Barammulla district a 16 year old boy came to cast his vote. I enquired,' you are below aged and how can you come for voting?’ He replied that his name is in the voters list and Security Persons knocked his doors in the early morning and compelled to cast his vote. Also the army persons said that after 2 days they will see whether the persons voted or not. This type of voice I heard in several parts of Barammulla district. This evidences shows that free and fair election has not been taken place in Kashmir election.

Question : Why Kashmiris not interested to cast their votes. What is the reason?

Agni Subramaniam : The truth behind is that Kashmiris are not believing in elections held under Indian democracy.

Question : Why this position?

Agni Subramaniam : Kashmiri race is a separate one. Kashmiris are angry with the atrocities of Security persons. This is the main cause.

Mr. Farooh Abdullah, the then Chief Minister and the present Chief Minister Mr. Mufti's governments has failed to stop the atrocities of the security forces. Instead the ruling parties are coping with the Indian government.

In one side, atrocities of security forces and in another side no basic amnesties has not been fulfilled to the people of Kashmir. These also the reasons for the angry of Kashmiris in Indian democracy setup.

Question : This time 21% voting has been recorded by the Indian Election
Commission. It is showing that the people of Kashmir slowly believing in democracy?

Agni Subramaniam : Our team is having doubt in this 21% record, published by the Election Commission of India. Because, our voluntary team worked in the ground level of Barammulla, Jammu, Anantanag, Ladak, Udampur etc.The final report of our team has not accepting the 21% recorded by the Election Commission. It is our duty to inform the true situation.

Question : We want to know the conscious of voluntary voters?

Agni Subramaniam : While observing Barammulla, we saw that 2 women coming out of booth [voting place] after casting their vote. We have enquired, for what reason they have casted their vote. Their reply is a very comedy one. They said that Election Commission has introduced Electronic Voting Machines [EVM] for the first time in Kashmir. They want to see how it is working. Also we asked them to whom they have voted. They replied that they are farmers and because of this they have selected farmer symbol.

Question : Any incident affected you?

Agni Subramaniam : I met one Tamil jawan [security person]. I introduced myself as a Tamil to him. With enthusiasm he has given a lot of informations what is happening there at present.

"Rastriya Rifle [a military wing, operating exclusively in Kashmir] went into the village early morning and by coercing the people, they came for voting". This confession from a military jawan has very much affected my mind as I am a Human Rights Defender.

Also he reiterates that Indian government is supplying one bottle of liquor daily to army persons who are working in Kashmir and compelling them to drink. This army man who has talked to me is a non-drinker and he generally gifts the bottle to his colleagues. I enquired what will happen if he denies to receiving the liquor. His answer has again shocked me. 'They will punish me', he said.

I have also seen a hoarding in the main junction of Srinagar. It depicts, an army man is pouring drinking water to an older Kashmiri man. I felt with deep feeling by seeing this. "When might I be able to see such things will happen here?"

Question : How can we solve the problems of Kashmir valley?

Agni Subramaniam : While seeing cross border terrorism with Pakistan, Indian government should try to understand the mentality of Kashmiri people first.

Also it should identify the true leaders from Kashmir soil and negotiate with them. UN & third world countries try to take part in those negotiations.

'Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru repeated his pledge in the Indian parliament [07-08-1952] that the people of Jammu & Kashmir will be given a chance to determine their future freely'. This pledge should be adopted immediately. These will lead to a peaceful settlement for Kashmir.

Kashmir is a magnificent and very beautiful State. Culturally they are very high. My personal opinion is we should not loose them.

Courtesy : Makkal Urimai, Tamil Weekly - May 28-June 03,2004
Translate from Tamil into English : MANITHAM

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