Zurimanz villagers say won’t vote if development is delayed again

Bandipora, May 20: The Zurimanz villagers on the banks of Wular Lake in north Kashmir's Bandipora district have maintained a tradition of voting, flocking in large numbers to the polling booths.

Despite being sidelined by successive regimes, voters here have pinned high hopes on the candidates they want to send to the parliament this time to address the issues on priority.

The road to Zurimanz village was constructed several years ago, but for most of the months, the road remains inaccessible as Wular Lake waters flood it.

Greater Kashmir also struggled to reach the village and talk to the voters here on Monday.

Farooq Ahamd Dar, 49, who makes ends meet by cultivating lake produce like fish and water chestnuts expressed his reasons for voting.

“Look at my village,” he pointed out after he came out of the polling both located on the hillock overlooking the vast expanses of the Wular Lake.

“There is no development,” he said. “The road which passes through the village is submerged under 10 feet of water.”

“During any eventuality, we suffer. We have to take expecting mothers in boats to reach the hospital. It is a shame for us,” Dar said.

On why he continues to vote, he said, “I am still unsure if development will take place, but let me warn you if this time too we are ignored in terms of development, I am sure this village will boycott and I won't vote further.”

Dar said the villagers here were downtrodden and jobless. He said that the construction of a hospital here also remained unfinished for years.

“People here have been casting votes from the beginning, but it seems our vote has no power,” said Dar.

"Each time politicians come asking for votes but when they are in power, they forget us as if we don't exist. But this won't be the case any further," Dar warned.