Srinagar : Once a hotbed of militancy, Jablipora area of Bijbehara has witnessed a change in the sixth phase of the ongoing Lok Sabha elections where the people in large numbers turned up at polling booths to cast their ballots for the first time.

38-year-old Altaf Ahmad was among the electorate, who exercised the franchise for the first time in their entire life.

Excited to vote for the first time, Altaf said that he has never cast his vote before and has turned up at a polling booth today to ensure change on the ground.

“This area has remained the hotbed for militancy so far as nearly 40 militants from the locality have been killed in the last 15 years. It is for the first time that the people in large numbers could be seen at the polling booths here to cast their ballots,” Ahmad said.

He added that of the total 3200 votes, only 150 votes were being polled here during the elections, but in this election, the people have decided to cast their votes to ensure change.

At Jablipora Sirgufwara Assembly Segment, the people stated that the area before delimitation exercise was earlier falling in Home Shalibugh constituency.

Similarly, Abdul Qayoom Pandit, who was present at the polling booth in the early morning hours, stated that the people have decided to vote this time.

“Since this area has been considered as the militancy hotbed, we have never voted before. But, the large number of people turning up at polling booths here is ample proof that the people here have been aspiring to witness a change by casting their ballots,” Pandit stated.

Pertinently, Anantnag-Rajouri Parliamentary Constituency went for polls on Saturday. The polls were earlier slated for May 07 but were deferred by the Election Commission of India after the political parties here demanded it’s postponement in wake of the closure of Mughal Road.

(CNI)