Apple farming - one of the major sources of revenue in the strife-torn Jammu and Kashmir - is in a grave crisis these days.
Deka was gunned down by the special operations group of the Jammu and Kashmir police allegedly as a foreign militant on February 17 last year, a day after he went missing from capital Srinagar.
So far, 15 people have been arrested in connection with the case.
Situated 55 kilometres north of Srinagar, Bandipore assembly constituency goes to polls in the first phase. The main contest here is going to be between the independent candidate Usman Majid, Nizamuddin Bhat of the People's Democratic Party and Ghulam Rasool Mir of the National Conference. Interestingly, a Tihar jail inmate, Mohammad Iqbal Jan is also fighting elections from Bandipora on the Jammu and Kashmir National Panthers' Party ticket.
Incidentally, 164 of the total 356 candidates in the fray from the 43 assembly seats of Jammu region got less votes than none of the above, which gives an option to voters to reject all candidates in a constituency.
A total of 123 candidates, including seven ministers of Congress-National Conference coalition, eight former ministers and legislators are in fray for the Jammu and Kashmir's first phase of elections scheduled later this month.
The ruling National Conference's traditional bastion Ganderbal is set for a triangular fight with People's Democratic Party, National Conference and an Independent contesting the polls after Chief Minister Omar Abdullah decided not to contest from the constituency which goes to polls on November 25.
As Azad ended his decades-old association with the party, leaders across political spectrum praised his contribution to Jammu and Kashmir, with the BJP hailing him as a "towering leader".
The prime minister, says Ram Kelkar, could do a lot to advance his stature as a national leader by speaking in strong and unequivocal terms on the subject of opposing intolerance and emphasizing the rule of law, thereby setting the tone for the nation and the party.
© 2026 Rediff.com - Investor Information - Advertise with us - Disclaimer - Privacy Policy - Sitemap - Feedback - About us - Terms of use - Grievances