As the world prepares to usher in the New Year, the year that has gone would leave some bitter events in memory of the people recorded as far as Jammu and Kashmir is concerned. The State saw on the last leg of the year one of the worst calamities in rain and floods leaving a trail of devastation and dislocation of thousands of people and the affected ones are yet to come out of the disaster. The period also saw one of the longest ceasefire violation by Pakistan targeting big chunk of villages in Jammu sector on the International Border and Line of Control in Poonch and Rajouri areas forcing a large number of population to shift to safer areas. The last quarter of the 2014 saw one of the worst infiltration bids in Arnia in Jammu and Uri in Kashmir region claiming more than 30 lives making one of the biggest casualty count. The State also saw one of the biggest democratic exercises with a record voter turnout crossing all time high of 80 per cent with no incident of violence. People defied all dictates of forces inimical to elections in the State and exercised franchise without fear and bias. The Assembly elections also saw Bharatiya Janata Party emerging a political force and posing a challenge to the traditional players like Congress, National Conference and Peoples’ Democratic Party. Despite the high voter turnout the government formation remains a guess game for anyone and political consensus remained elusive even after a week. For voters the developments were disappointing. In the prevailing hazy political scenario, unqualified comments by politicians have added to the confusion. The prevailing link also has raised demands of re-poll too by National Panthers Party so the political drama continues as curtain falls on an eventful year and expecting New Year to bring in some good news to the people. Happy New Year to our
readers.
