Punjab elections: 85 per cent polling in blast-hit Maur

BATHINDA: On January 31, a car blast left

Maur town

of Bathinda stunned and tense, but three days later its people showed their faith in democracy by clocking 85 per cent turnout.

Rajesh Kumar and Rajesh Jindal, who were both injured in the blast, cast their ballot at the Khalsa High School polling booth. “Exercising our right to franchise is our fundamental right. I was shaken by the blast, but decided to cast the ballot," he said.

“The blast left the residents shaken and angry with the police, but they still came out to vote," said Mohan Lal, a resident of the area.

Another local Rajinder Kumar, said, “People downed shutters for two days to mourn the dastardly killings but despite that they chose to exercise their democratic right."

However, it was different for the families of the children who died in the blast as they are still to come to terms with their loss. Rakesh Kumar, whose 13-year-old son Saurav Singla was killed in the blast, said, “Why should we have voted? We have lost everything to the elections. Whenever there are elections, we will relive the tragedy."

Bani Preet Kaur, whose nephew Jap Simran was killed in the blast, said there was no point in going to the polling booth after their grievous loss. Family members of another victim, Ripandeep, too opted out.