The state government has begun preparations to hold the Panchayati elections. On the fact of it, it seems that the state intends to break the ongoing cycle of killings and protests by diverting the attention of the people toward the Panchayati polls. In 2008 the state did exactly the same when it made announcement for the Assembly elections immediately after the Amarnath land row ended. Whether people will participate in the polls or not is not the important question. What matters is whether such elections would make any difference. Why is government time and again linking elections with the Kashmir issue when they are two different entities? The same has been acknowledged by the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah who recently said that polls have nothing to do with the Kashmir issue. The state would do a big mistake by holding the polls at this juncture. It must not unnecessarily drag people to the poling stations. There is no point holding the elections at a time when there are some serious issues facing people which need be addressed on the priority. Let it not burden the exchequer by going for polls. Let it concentrate on how to rebuild the state’s economy which has been shattered by frequent shutdowns and curfews. There is also a problem of unemployment we are facing. The state must try to absorb as many youth in the government sector as possible. Lastly, it must rein in the forces who have unleashed a reign of terror.

Qaisar Shafi
Shopian Kashmir

Lastupdate on : Wed, 20 Oct 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Wed, 20 Oct 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Thu, 21 Oct 2010 00:00:00 IST