Kashmir: “Triumph Of Democracy”

A large majority of voters in the Indian-part of Kashmir have sent a clear message to the world that they want democracy and will not bow to the diktats of militants/separatists.

London’s Financial Times reports: “Separatists who want an independent state. or a merger with Pakistan, had urged Kashmiris to boycott the election (to the State assembly). Yet the turnout was about 60 per cent and voting was largely peaceful.

“The Indian government on Sunday proclaimed the result of elections in Jammu and Kashmir as a lesson for Pakistan, its adversary in two wars over the disputed territory, and other countries in the region.

“India has blamed Lashkar-e-Taiba, a Pakistani militant group that fights against Indian control of Kashmir, for the devastating strike on its financial centre. The final stages of the ballot in the Himalayan region were held as tension escalated between India and Pakistan following the Mumbai terrorist attacks at the end of November, which killed 179 people.” More here…

The young 38-year-old politician, Omar Abdullah, the president of the National Conference party in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir has emerged as the favourite to become the new chief minister, reports the BBC.

The Reuters says: “Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has called the high voter turnout a ‘vote for democracy’ and Congress President Sonia Gandhi has said this should be a message for ‘our neighbours’ (about what the people of Kashmir want).

“Fed up of living under the constant shadow of violence in a state divided under religious lines, Kashmiri voters surprised seasoned political pundits by turning up in large numbers to cast their ballots.” More here…

The Indian Express reports: “And for a change, nobody was tuning in to the few Pakistani channels which are aired in the Valley, as none of them covered the Kashmir poll results.” More here…

The Times of India reports that “J&K poll result leaves Pakistan media cold.” More here…