North Kashmir votes to end economic hardships

Handwara/ Sopore, Oct 1: The residents of north Kashmir voted in large numbers, expressing their anger over soaring power tariffs, rising unemployment, and unfulfilled development promises.

Voters from Handwara and Sopore called for an end to what they described as economic hardships and hollow claims of progress as they cast their ballots in hopes of bringing change.

The people queued outside polling stations since morning in urban as well as rural areas of Handwara in Kupwara and Sopore in Baramulla.

Most of the voters, young and old, said rising economic hardships and lack of infrastructural progress were the driving forces behind their decision to vote.

One of the most dominant issues in today’s voting was soaring power tariffs over the past few years, which many claimed had become unbearable.

“I am a small shopkeeper. With the hike in electricity bills, it has become impossible to sustain my family,” said Ghulam Qadir, 45, a Sopore resident. “We were promised better electricity supply, but all we got was higher rates and longer power cuts. Today, we are voting with the hope that this exploitation will end.”

In most localities of Sopore, also popular as apple town, the voters said that power cuts and erratic supply during the harsh winters had caused major disruptions, making life increasingly difficult.

“Our complaints to the authorities have fallen on deaf ears,” they said. “By choosing our representatives, this might end.”

Mehbooba Begum of Handwara said: “We suffer the most during the winter. The power goes off for hours, and yet our bills keep rising. We get a bill of Rs 3000 per month while the power bill used to be Rs 400.”

Unemployment, particularly among the youth, was another pressing concern.

Young voters said that the lack of job opportunities and the widening gap between promises and reality were reasons for them to vote.

Fayaz Ahmed Khoja, 27, of Langate, said that they had degrees but no jobs.

“Every election, we hear the same promises about employment schemes and development. But where are these jobs?” he questioned. “Today, we voted for a future where the youth of Kashmir have opportunities, not just empty promises.”

A group of young voters in Batkote Handwara said that several candidates had promised employment generation in their manifestos.

“These candidates make claims in every election, let us see what they do after winning now,” they said. “Disillusionment among the younger generation is rising because of unemployment.”

Many voters said that the government’s claims of development in their areas were a “hoax” that was misleading the people.

“Where is the development they speak of? Roads are broken, there isn’t proper healthcare, and our schools are in shambles,” said Nazir Lone, a farmer from Rafiabad, Sopore. “The rulers keep talking about progress, but we haven’t seen any of it. We voted today to bring about a real change.”

A group of elderly voters in Seelo, Sopore said that basic amenities like water, sanitation, and healthcare services remained inadequate despite the promises made during previous elections.

“We have been waiting for change for decades. Every election we hear the same speeches about building a new Kashmir, but on the ground, nothing changes,” they said.

“We are fed up, but we still have hope,” said the elderly group of voters. “We want leaders who will listen to us, who will understand our struggles and bring about real solutions. That’s why we are here casting our vote.”