New National Progressive Alliance [NPA] government has been taken charge due to a sea change of the people’s verdict in the recently held parliament election in India. In the Parliament election, World and Indian people's view focused with eagerly on a particular State. i.e. Kashmir.

A team of Non-Governmental Organisation [NGO] and Human Rights Organisation from other parts of India, voluntarily conducted an Independent Election Observing [IEO] in Kashmir with the help of local NGO Group, JKCCS, situated at Srinagar.

Four phases of election was held at Kashmir. On behalf of MANITHAM - a Human Rights Organisation based in Tamil Nadu, Southern part of India, its Executive Director, Mr. Agni Subramaniam was one among the IEOs and observed the First 2 phase elections held at J & K. The excerpts of his views:

Question : You are saying that you were observed 2 phase elections at Kashmir. In which way you have observed?

Agni Subramaniam : In J & K, there were 6 parliamentary constituencies. Elections were held in 4 phases. I observed First 2 phase elections. [I phase in Jammu & in Barammulla and II phase in Srinagar].

At Barammulla, I went to rural areas of Sopur and Rafiabad. These are very border areas of Pakistan. I met lot of people. As per my knowledge, I can tell that Kashmiris not cast their vote willingly. This is true story.

In Barammulla district a 16 year old boy came to cast his vote. I enquired,' you are below aged and how can you come for voting?’ He replied that his name is in the voter list and Security personal knocked his doors in the early morning and compelled to cast vote. Also the army persons said that after 2 days they will see whether the persons voted or not. This type of voice I heard in several parts of Barammulla district. This evidences shows that fair and free election has not taken part Kashmir election.

Question : Why Kashmiris not interested to cast their votes. What is the reason?

Agni Subramaniam : The truth behind is that Kashmiris are not believing in elections held under Indian democracy.

Question : Why this position?

Agni Subramaniam : Kashmiri race is a separate one. Kashmiris are angry with the atrocities of Security persons. This is the main cause.

Mr. Farooh Abdullah, the then Chief Minister and the present Chief Minister Mr. Mufti's governments has failed to stop the atrocities of the security forces. Instead the ruling parties are coping with the Indian government.

In one side, atrocities of security forces and another side no basic amnesties to the people has not been fulfilled. These also the reasons for the angry of Kashmiris in Indian democracy.

Question : This time 21% voting has been recorded by the Indian Election
Commission. It is showing that the people of Kashmir slowly believe in democracy?

Agni Subramaniam : Our team is having doubt in this 21% record published by the Election Commission. Because, our voluntary team worked in the ground level of Barammulla, Jammu, Anantanag, Ladak, Udampur etc.The final report of our team has not accepting the 21% recorded by the Election Commission. It is our duty to inform the true situation.

Question : We want to know the conscious of voluntary voters?

Agni Subramaniam : While observing Barammulla, we saw that 2 women coming out of booth [voting place] after casting their vote. We have enquired for what reason they have cast their vote. Their reply is a very comedy one. They said that Election Commission has introduced Electronic Voting Machines [EVM] for the first time in Kashmir. They want to see how it is. Also we asked them to whom they have voted. They replied that they belong to farmers and because of this they have selected farmer symbol.

Question : Any incident affected you?

Agni Subramaniam : I met one tamil jawan [security person]. I introduced myself as a Tamil. With enthusiasm he has given a lot of informations what is happening there.

"Rastriya Rifle [a military wing, operating exclusively in Kashmir] went into the village early morning and by coercing the people, they came for voting". This confession from a jawan very much affected my mind.

Also he reiterates that Indian government is supplying one bottle of liquor to army persons who are working in Kashmir and compelling them to drink daily. This army man who talked to us is a non-drinker and he generally gifts the bottle to his colleagues. I enquired what will happen if he denies receiving the liquor. His answer shocked me. 'They will punish me', he said.

I have seen a hoarding in the mail junction of Srinagar. It depicts, an army man is pouring drinking water to an older Kashmiri man. I felt with deep feeling by seeing this. "When might I be able to see such things will happen here?"

Question : How can we solve the problem of Kashmir?

Agni Subramaniam : While seeing cross border terrorism with Pakistan, Indian
government should try to understand the mentality of Kashmiri people.

Also it should identify the true leaders from the soil and negotiate with them. UN & third world countries try to take part in those negotiations.

'Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru repeated his pledge in the Indian parliament [07-08-1952] that the people of Jammu & Kashmir will be given a chance to determine their future freely'. This pledge should be adopted immediately. This will lead to a peaceful settlement for Kashmir.

Kashmir is a magnificent and very beautiful State. Culturally they are very high. My personal opinion is we should not lose them.