Suhail Khan/ Lone Showkat
Sopore, Dec 19: Once known as a militant hub, the residents of Sopore in north Kashmirs Baramulla district on Saturday came out in large numbers to vote for municipal elections.
Over the last few decades Sopore had been known for its strict enforcement of poll boycot.
“What has militantcy done to us except for destroying our future. We don’t want to suffer forever that is the reason we are here in quue to vote”, said a first time voter Sheikh Imran.
He added, “Believe me, during winters we have suffered immensely and we had to move from pillar to post but I think DDC and municipal elections are opportunity to change our future”.
“Why shouldn’t we vote? For years we boycotted elections and the result is in front of you. We have nothing but bad roads no electricity and no jobs”, said a 68 year old voter Ghulam Mohammed while talking to Kashmir Despatch.
“More importantly we have voted for employment as this time we have favored local candidates as they are the right candidate to take our issues forward”, he added.
Most of the voters who talked to Kashmir Despatch said that they have favored local candidates rather then the political parties who over the years have done nothing for the development of the area.
