With assembly elections returning after a decade, people of Jammu region are eager to vote but their optimism is tempered by threats of terrorism, unresolved local problems
JAMMU: A hamlet deep inside dense forests and rugged terrain south of the Pir Panjal range in Kathua district of Jammu region was abuzz recently with a political meeting — a rare event in a place where communication with the outside world is sporadic at best.
The assembly elections in J&K after a decade-long gap have cast Jammu into the heart of a political whirlwind, with fringe shows numerically dwarfing the big rallies.
Kalna Dhanu Parole, isolated from the hustle of the outside world, is difficult to reach. Cell and internet service is inconsistent, or non-existent. Residents have grown accustomed to uncertainty. Nightly knocks at the door are met with wariness. It could be anyone: a Pakistani terrorist, local police, or a relative bearing grave tidings.
This is life in a village that has learned to live on edge, especially since the ambush near Badnota on July 8, where five soldiers from 22 Garhwal Rifles were killed by Pakistani terrorists as their trucks navigated the gut-churning switchbacks of the Machedi-Kindli-Malhar road. A resident of Kalna Dhanu Parole — barely 10km from the attack site — was arrested on suspicion of aiding the “foreign jihadis”.
This summer has been particularly harsh for Jammu region, with terrorism taking a heavy toll. Since May, 15 security personnel have lost their lives, underscoring the persistent threat in a region that has already seen 52 such casualties since 2021. Civilians, too, have not been spared from the violence, leaving deep scars on the community.
The administration has ramped up security measures to ensure a peaceful campaign and voting process. Additional paramilitary forces have been deployed across districts like Rajouri, Poonch, Doda, Kathua, and Reasi — areas that have seen heightened terrorist activity.
The elections have sparked a renewed sense of hope among the people, eager to see their voices represented once more. The streets are alive with the energy of electioneering.
Nukkad meetings and public rallies are being held in every corner — from bustling city centres to remote villages. Politicians are making their presence felt everywhere, engaging with constituents and promising to address their festering problems.
However, this optimism comes against a backdrop of mounting challenges — from a resurgence of terrorism to the day-to-day issues plaguing the populace.
The meeting at Kalna Dhanu Parole took place under the open sky, in a small clearing surrounded by towering pine trees. A local politician named Rajinder K, aspiring to contest the elections, spoke of change, of hope, of a better tomorrow.
The residents listened intently, their faces a mixture of scepticism and hope. They are no strangers to the promises of politicians, many of which have gone unfulfilled. But the current circumstances — the absence of an elected govt, the rising threat of terrorism, and the daily struggles of living in such a remote and vulnerable area — have made them desperate for solutions. The politician promised to ensure that their voices are heard in the assembly, that their needs are addressed, and that their lives are made a little easier.
After the speech, the meeting shifted to a more informal tone. Residents approached the politician, sharing their concerns directly. “We need better roads, improved security, and a local representative who understands our struggles,” a villager said.
People talked about the lack of healthcare, the unreliable electricity, the unpaved roads that become impassable during rainy days and the winter. They spoke of the constant fear they live under, not knowing if the next knock at their door will bring good news or bad.
For many voters, the aim was to find a means of catharsis from tensile situations. “This is our chance to elect a govt that truly represents us. I am proud to be part of this process,” said first-time voter Pallavi Padha, sneaking a sideways glance at a windsock dummy plastered with election graffiti in Jammu city.
Even in the secluded areas of Poonch, where the memory of recent terrorist attacks is fresh, there is a sense of anticipation. The headman of Topa Peer village Sadeeq Mohammad said: “We are ready to meet the candidates and voice our concerns. The youth who have moved to cities like Mumbai may not return. But we are eagerly awaiting polling day.”
Villager Rafayat Ganai described the optimism among voters in Doda district, where the July 15 attack in Desa forest left four soldiers dead and shook the community. While there are lingering fears, the desire for representation and the promise of a responsive govt outweigh these concerns. “People are preparing for the elections with enthusiasm, despite the challenges,” Ganai said.
Advocate Majid Malik, an independent candidate for the Bhaderwah constituency in Doda, highlighted the myriad concerns facing his area, including illegal logging, poor infrastructure, and the growing menace of drug addiction. “Over the past 10 years, there was no elected govt. But now, we are hopeful that these problems will finally be addressed,” he said.
In Basholi of Kathua district, the scars of terrorism are raw, but the need for better healthcare and road infrastructure is a hot-button topic driving voters to the polls.
“Security has been heightened, especially in the upper reaches where the terrorists tend to hide after crossing the India-Pakistan border,” Basholi resident Vishal Padha said. He highlighted the precarious situation in his area, where the lack of medical facilities and poor roads have turned even routine healthcare into a life-threatening ordeal.
People alleged that the absence of an elected govt has exacerbated problems like unemployment, drug abuse, and corruption. This has led to a deep-seated discontent with the “outsider babus”, a euphemism for bureaucrats running the administration.
“Only local leaders, motivated by the need for votes, can address the everyday issues plaguing our community, such as poor drainage and inadequate infrastructure,” said shopkeeper Sanjay Wahi from Julaka Mohalla in old Jammu city. “These issues won’t be solved by babus sitting in the civil secretariat.”
According to Rajouri resident Nishi Kant, the memory of the New Year’s Day attack at the mountainside village of Upper Dhangri, about 10km south of the district headquarters, continues to haunt the community. “Five innocent villagers died that day in 2023. People now hope that with their own elected legislator, their concerns will reach the corridors of govt and solutions will be provided,” he said.
The terrorists remain an unshakable headache. Local politicians know words alone won’t win voters’ trust. People believe their own MLA could make all the difference in the forgotten corners of the Pir Panjal. That’s if the rolling roadshow gets that far.
