NEW DELHI – Indian democracy becomes mockery in Occupied Kashmir, BJP onlycontestant political party.
Amid tough security measures, New Delhi has conducted the block developmentcouncil elections across the bifurcated Kashmir region.
While the local politicians continue to be in jail, the region’s leadingpolitical parties boycotted this election in protest at New Delhi’sdecision to scrap Kashmir’s special status in August.
In the first of its kind elections, the only contesting political party wasthe Hindu nationalist BJP, while the rest of the candidates declaredthemselves as independents.
Lawmaker Hasnain Masoodi accuses New Delhi of orchestrating these electionsin a show of normalcy in the region.
Mehraj Rather is one of the candidates who joined this local political frayand is contesting from the northern district of Sumbal.
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At a time when the situation in Kashmir is not conducive for any electoralprocess, New Delhi has imposed stringent security measure to ensure safepolls.
Since Kashmir’s partial autonomy was revoked in August, the region has cometo a standstill. Fearing backlash, authorities have launched anunprecedented clampdown in Kashmir, arresting politicians, lawyers,businessmen and pro-freedom activists.
In protest at India’s moves, Kashmiris have resorted to civil disobedience,protesting in the most peaceful manner, by closing businesses, shops andeducational institutions.
After facing international criticism, New Delhi lifted some of the curbsand restrictions in a phased manner in Kashmir, but people say genuineefforts should be made to restore normalcy in the region, Press TV hasreported.