'Won’t cast ballots in DDC polls', says Jabdi villagers of Karnah who alleges Army of restricting their movement outside village

Irfan A Mir

Srinagar, Nov 24 (KNS): Located at a stone throwing distance from Line of Control (LoC) in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district, residents of Jabdi village of Karnah tehsil on Tuesday expressed strong resentment against authorities and decided to boycott the upcoming DDC election that are scheduled to be held from November 28 across J&K.
According to Kashmir News Service (KNS), the residents alleged that since Article 370 was repealed, the local authorities left the village unattended and made local population to suffer badly. They said the local administration is acting as a mute spectator over the sufferings of villagers who have been comprehensively handed over to Army.
Residents said that the area is 30 kilometer away from tehsil headquarter and inhabitants of the village cannot venture out to meet their requirements without a valid permission from the local Brigade Commander. They said every family in the village has relatives residing in adjoining area and whenever there is any function held at their homes, the relatives cannot move without the Army’s permission.
“We are stuck in an uncertain situation. If our relative dies or any wedding function to be held there, we remains unheard of the developments”, locals said.
A local wishing not to be named told KNS that the Army’s permission is akin to VISA which is must for a traveler to visit outside country. “Like Visa is must for travelling outside the country, it has become mandatory for us to obtain permission first from local Army officials”, he said.
He added since Article 370 was revoked, civil officials are also being barred from attending duties.
“From last one year teachers who are deputed in nearby schools have been stopped from joining schools. It is height of interference in the rights of an individual”, the local told KNS.
When asked about the status of basic ammonites in the village, the local said that neither electricity nor drinking water supply is being provided to the village which has badly ruined the lives of villagers. He added locals are compelled to pay electricity and water bills regularly as they can’t argue when a village is covered with security establishments.
While venturing out in bone-chilling cold, the villagers on Tuesday protested and decided to boycott upcoming DDC polls. “We have no option to boycott the upcoming District Development Council (DDC) polls that few days away now”, locals said.
Deputy Commissioner (DC) Kupwara Dr Anshul Garg didn’t respond to the calls made by this office. However Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Karnah Dr Bilal Mohi-ud-Din said that area is highly sensitive and next to Line of Control so there is need to look after the movement of people.
“Being a highly sensitive area, the locals should cooperate for security reasons as the area is located just few meters away from Line of Control”, he said.
The official added that it is a normal procedure and whosoever wishes to travel from Kupwara to Karnah or vice-versa, has to seek permission first.
“If there is any lack of basic facilities in the village, he will look into the matter”, Dr Bilal added. (KNS) 

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