Preparations for the upcoming elections are in full swing in a small village located on the Line of Control (LoC) in Rajouri district of Jammu and Kashmir. The remote village of Makri is one of the last polling stations in India. It is a reminder of the strength of democracy despite geographical isolation and security threats. There are 51 such polling stations near the LoC. The Election Commission is making preparations for safe and successful voting at all these border polling stations.
With elections approaching, the Election Commission of India has left no stone unturned to ensure that villagers living in one of the most sensitive areas of the country can exercise their fundamental right. Makri is one of the five villages in Rajouri that lie directly on the Line of Control, beyond the barbed wire fencing erected by the Indian Army to prevent infiltration from Pakistan.
A ray of hope in a village on the brink of crisis
Surrounded by uncertainty and tight security, the people of Makri village last voted in the assembly elections in 2014. They are excited to take part in the crucial democratic process this time. They hope that these elections will not only bring peace but also much-needed development to their border villages. “We need better roads, medical facilities and more teachers for our children,” said one villager, listing the urgent demands of the area.
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security on high alert
Security has been beefed up ahead of the elections. Additional security forces have been deployed in Jammu, especially in border villages like Makri, due to the threat of infiltration and terrorist activities. The area has been marked as a highly sensitive area with three to four times more security personnel deployed than in previous elections. The army and central security forces, along with the local police, are carrying out regular patrolling to ensure that the elections are conducted without any disruption.
ADC Nowshera, Babu Ram Tandon, told about the plan made for the security of polling stations. Tandon said, “Our team including Sector Magistrate Ashwani Kumar, Zonal Magistrate Gurdayal Singh, BLO Gorakh Nath and Supervisor Romi Chaudhary are continuously visiting all the polling stations near the Line of Control to ensure that everything is in order for the election process.”
A unique voting experience
The Makri polling station is one of two uniquely located beyond the army’s anti-infiltration fence. The area is surrounded by heavy military deployment because it is close to the Pakistan border. Despite the challenges, the villagers are hopeful and proud of their role in India’s electoral process. “We are brave residents of India who live on the edge, but we believe that our vote matters,” said BLO Gorakh Nath.
The Makri polling station on the Line of Control (LoC) in Rajouri district has 593 voters, and has consistently shown strong participation, claiming over 70 per cent polling in the last Lok Sabha elections. Makri is one of two polling stations, along with Sehar, set up to serve five villages located beyond the security fence. Despite the challenging terrain and high alert due to security concerns, the Election Commission has ensured that voters in these remote areas have access to polling stations, allowing them to actively participate in the democratic process.
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The promise of development
For many villagers, this election is more than just a chance to vote. It represents a chance for long-overdue development. While they are proud of the increased security, villagers also stress the need for hospitals, schools and proper infrastructure.
Speaking on the lack of basic amenities in the area, another villager said, “The roads are in very bad condition and we need a functional hospital immediately. We have been waiting for these facilities for years.”
As the elections draw closer, excitement is mounting in the border villages. The threat of terror may be looming over them, but the people of Makri and surrounding areas are firm in their faith in India’s democratic process. They believe that this election will not only strengthen security but also pave the way for much-needed development in their remote but important corner of the country.
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Source (PTI) (NDTV) (HINDUSTANTIMES)