Old town Baramulla votes for development, jobs

Baramulla, May 20: Long queues including elderly and first-time voters were seen outside the polling stations in Old Town Baramulla as residents voted for development, employment, and a peaceful life.

During the early hours, the voting was moderate, however, with time, the area witnessed brisk voting, with both men and women casting their votes in good numbers.

The main attraction was the first-time voters who actively participated in the polling.

These voters said that they voted for the overall development of Old Town Baramulla, which has usually been neglected by successive regimes.

Rayees Ahmad, a graduate and first-time voter, said that successive governments ignored their area and gave the least preference to the aspirations of the youth.

He said that since the political scenario here was changing fast, people here were optimistic that their long-standing issue of development would be given priority.

“I cast my vote as a first-time voter to elect a candidate who can voice their concerns at the highest level of democracy,” said Rayees. “Decongestion of the old town, overall development, widening and macadamisation of roads, proper drainage, healthcare facilities, and a proper education system were all part of the Greater Baramulla plan. But until now, the Old Town area of Baramulla has witnessed little to no development," he said.

Fayaz Ahmad, a resident of Al-Mustafa Colony Baramulla after casting his vote at the polling station situated in the Department of Handicrafts office said that the major concern of the people of Old Town Baramulla was the least employment opportunity for the youth.

He said even the private sector jobs were diminishing and youth were feeling alienated.