Poll Violence

The first phase of elections in Baramullah-Kupwara constituency witnessed several grenade and IED explosions killing four people and leaving many injured, reported Srinagar Times (21 April 2004) in its lead news. "Those killed included two security personnel, social activist and a civilian. Scores of people were injured in these blasts. It continued, "In Arampora Sopore, an IED exploded with a big bang in a polling booth leaving one dead and 8 wounded including 7 CRPF personnel. In Pazalpora Rafiabad, militants threw a grenade at a polling booth killing CRPF personnel. Meanwhile, Omar Abdullah escaped unhurt when an IED exploded moments after his cavalcade reached Hayatpora Budgam."

Alsafa (9 April 2004) reported that "In a deadly strike in Uri town, militants hurled a powerful bomb on the PDP rally killing 9 people and wounding as many as 144. Among wounded, 20 are stated to be critical. Minister for Planning and Law, Muzzafar Beig, and Minister for Urban Development, Gh Hassan Mir, were also wounded. PDP president, Mehbooba Mufti had a narrow escape."

Election Boycott and the People

In its editorial, "no harm in compromise", Uqab (21 April 2004) observed that separatists should understand the problems of the ordinary people who overlooked the boycott call and came out to vote to bring about a change in the present politics. "Despite the vigorous campaigning by Hurriyat asking people not to vote and boycott calls by the militant groups, people turned out to vote. If people are with separatists as they claim, then why there was 33 percent polling, questioned the editorial. It continued, "In a trouble torn valley, 33 percent electorates exercised their right to franchise which shows that there was little or no impact of the boycott call by separatists. People vote for their day to day problems to be solved and it doesn’t mean that they (people) dissociate their selves from the Kashmir issue."

In its editorial, "From Polling to Boycott", weekly Chattan (26 April-2 May 2004) noted that there was no need to repeat election boycott as it serves no cause except for pleasing Islamabad. "It was not the question of making boycott successful but to what extent Kashmir cause is strengthened by boycotting elections.” The editorial questioned, had boycott brought about any development vis-à-vis Kashmir issue earlier?”  It continued, "If separatists want to demonstrate that elections were not a solution to Kashmir problem, then a boycott was more than sufficient to prove this and there was no need to repeat this exercise. With regard to boycott, it should be borne in mind that it (boycott) receives support from Islamabad only and when elections are held in volatile situations it (elections) receives world attention."

Vajpayee’s Address

Srinagar Times (15 April 2004) gave prominence to Vajpayee’s address to an election rally in Jammu. Besides hoping that people of Jammu will vote for BJP’s candidate, Dr. Nirmal Singh, Vajpayee said, ”We want Hurriyat to participate in elections but they are afraid to do so. However, the dialogue with Hurriyat will continue.”

Kashmir Taken Up at Belgium Meet

The Kashmir issue was discussed in Brussels, Belgium, reported the Srinagar Times (18 April 2004) in its lead news. "In Brussels, a discourse on Kashmir was held in which eminent leaders of both India and Pakistan, besides Jammu and Kashmir participated. Those who participated in the meeting include - Gowher Ayoob Khan, Son of Late President of Pakistan Ayoob Khan, Kuldip Nayyar, Sardar Ab. Qayoom Khan, Barrister Satan Mehmood, Dr. Gh Nabi Fai, Ashok Jaitley, Farooq Sadiqi, Prof. A..N. Shawl, Shah Gh. Qadar, Shiekh Tajamul Islam, Mehmood Sagar, Altaf Qadri, Syed Ali Raza, Mohd Shioab and Barrister Majid Taranabo." It continued, "Many members of the European Parliament also took part in the meeting. Various aspects of the Kashmir issue were discussed in the meeting. It was rather unanimously held that peaceful dialogue between the two countries could bring about a permanent solution to the Kashmir problem."