PAMPORE: Elections for Chowkidar for Shar Shali village in Pampore area of South Kashmir’s Pulwama district were held on Monday after 15 years in presence of Tehsildar Pampore Ishtiyaq Mohi-ud-Din.
People, men and women, turned out in large numbers for the voting.
Elections fulfilled long pending demand of the locals.
Two candidates, Ferooz Ahmad Lone and Tariq Ahmad were in Fray.
A total of 281 votes were polled out of which 217 were of males and 64 were of females.
Ferooz Ahmad emerged victorious by getting 266 votes against 14 votes by Tariq Ahmad.
The voting was held at Eidgah Shar Shali and were supervised Tehsildar Pampore Ishtiyaq Mohi-ud-Din and Naib Tehsildar Khrew Mohammad Ameen.
The post was disputed for last many years.
Officials told Kashmir Reader that there was resentment against former Chowkidar and the residents had requested the officials for dismissal of the former Chowkidar and for holding fresh elections.
Taking to Kashmir Reader at Shar Shali Tehsildar Pampore Ishtiyaq Mohi-ud-Din said that there was some issue with the post of Chowkidar.
“A notice was issued for the selection of the post of Chowkidar and a large number of people took part in the elections in which one candidate Ferooz Ahmad Lone was declared winner,” he said.
Ghulam Mohammad Wani, president Auqaf Committee Shar Shali , told Kashmir Reader that selection of chowkidar was long pending demand of the villagers.
“We brought it into the notice of Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Pandurang K Pole, Deputy Commissioner Pulwama Baseer-Ul-Haq Choudhary and Tehsildar Pampore Ishtiyaq Mohi-ud-Din, “ he said, adding that a notice was issued at Eidgah ground.
He said that a large number of people, men and women, took part in the elections.
He thanked authorities for holding the elections.
Ghulam Mohammad Bhat, a resident of the village, said that they came for voting in favour of their candidate Ferooz Ahmad Lone.
He said that the elections were held today after 15 years.
Auqaf Committee, senior citizens and local residents thanked Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Deputy Commissioner Pulwama, Tehsildar Pampore and Police officials for holding the elections.

BILAL HABIB