44 pc amid high and low in Lolab

Nearly no trouble was reported though Lolab’s alpine forests are militant infested; heavy security presence did not trigger complaints of coercion either.

At Sogam and Lalpore, over 10,000 people gathered in long queues to cast vote. Minors were seen casting vote in both places. Class VIII student Nusrat Jabeen of Girls’ High School, Sogam, voted. She was listed as voter no. 819. Most people in Sogam support Qaiser Lone, and Lalpore is tilted towards Abdul Khan.

Unlike these two villages, Patushie recorded low polling till 3 pm. Of 1,065 voters, only 18 had turned up an hour before polling concluded.

The situation was similar in Tikipora. NC’s Mushtaq Ahmad Lone, also Law Minister, was assassinated in this village on September 11. Lolab constituency has been tense ever since. On poll eve, several families temporarily migrated from the region.

In Sogama, militants had gunned for security forces on three consecutive days and killed four soldiers yesterday. This, however, did not affect polls. ‘‘We are under no pressure from any side,’’ housewife Khadija said. ‘‘Our vote is for Mushtaq sahib (the slain minister, whose nephew is the new NC nominee).’’

At a press conference in Srinagar this evening, state Chief Secretary I.S. Malhi said: ‘‘The game (elections) was played fairly and umpired very well.’’

J-K Chief Electoral Officer Pramod Jain said 44 per cent turnout was recorded in Lolab’s seven segments.