Srinagar:
On the eve of round 2 of Jammu and Kashmir's landmark panchayat elections, fear has gripped one village in the Valley's Badgam district. Late last night, seven unidentified men stormed the house of a woman candidate, Hasina Begum, and shot her dead.
The family suspects that her murder was related to the polls, since militants have issued threats.
"They asked my mother why she filled the forms. My mother told them she will withdraw and apologise but they didn't listen to her and killed her," said Omar, the son of Hasina Begum.
The polls, being held after more than 10 years, saw a whopping 80 per cent turnout in phase one earlier this week, as people defied threats and boycott calls by separatists.
Hasina's killing, many believe could be a desperate attempt to create fear. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, however, says the murder may not be related to polls and the police say it could be family dispute.
"It has not been proven that her killing is an outcome of her taking part in the Panchayat elections. Investigation is going on. As soon as we come to know about the cause, we will let you know. But what we are hearing from the police is that her killing may not be related to the fact that she was a candidate for the Panchayat elections," said Omar Abdullah.
But nevertheless, fearing for their lives, all the other four candidates in the village have withdrawn from the polls.
"I have committed a mistake. I apologise for it and I have withdrawn because of I am scared," said M Yousuf, a candidate who has withdrawn.