Border villagers vote in large numbers across Jammu

Rajouri, Oct 1: Border villagers across Jammu exercised their right to vote in large numbers.

"Next time you encounter a voter from a border area, take a moment to express your gratitude for their role in upholding the spirit of democracy along our nation's frontline," the District Magistrate Jammu mentioned in an official statement.

The border areas of Kathua district, border areas of Samba district  and half of border areas of Jammu district fall along International Border and remaining along Line of Control (LoC) of Akhnoor sub division including Khour.

In Akhnoor sub division of  Jammu district, 42 polling stations were established along the LoC and IB.

“A proper contingency plan was in place for these border polling stations to meet with any situation of tension on border," Sub Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Akhnoor, SP Mohan Lal Sharma said.

Sharma further said that there always remain a contingency plan for border polling stations. Braving the situation and expressing democratic zeal, border villagers were seen standing in long queues outside polling stations since 7 am.

At some polling stations, the process of voting even continued till evening hours as people kept on visiting the polling stations.

The democratic enthusiasm among border villagers can be gauged from the voters turnout as border assembly constituencies of Akhnoor that include Chamb, Akhnoor recorded 79 and 79.70 percent voter turnout while Hiranagar and Ramgarh recorded 72 and 76.50 percent turnout.

In a polling station of Pargwal in Jammu that was established in Government Higher Secondary School Pargwal, hundreds of voters were seen standing in queue since morning.

"I am standing outside polling station since 7 am  and it has been over one hour but I am waiting for my turn due to heavy rush of voters," Ganesh Kumar of Akhnoor Chammb said. He added. that his polling station in Government High School Garkhal in Akhnoor is few hundred meters away from border and voting is going on smoothly.