Ahead of LS polls, Poonch locals demand construction of bunkers, development in border areas

With the general elections around the corner, residents of Poonch are hopeful of better roads, communication and, connectivity, as well as bunkers to safeguard them at times of continuous shelling.

"I request every citizen of my district to come out and vote. We have to choose such a candidate who not only comes during the elections but someone who can actually think of developing the area," a local named Maninder Singh told ANI.

"Our major demands include road connectivity and bunkers. As shelling and firing continue near the border we need not only community bunkers but personal bunkers too so that the residents can be safe even in adverse situations," Singh added.

Acknowledging that development has taken place, Singh said there remains room for more.

"Elections are coming up on April 11, there are a lot of issues, though a majority of them have been resolved some issues are still pending. We are hopeful that after the upcoming parliamentary polls even these would be resolved," another resident Manzoor Ahmed said.

Six Lok Sabha seats of Jammu and Kashmir will go to polls in five phases.

Baramulla and Jammu constituencies will go to polls in the first phase while Srinagar and Udhampur constituencies will go to polls in the second phase.

Anantnag constituency will go to polls in third, fourth and fifth phases, given the precarious security situation in the south Kashmir region.

Ladakh constituency will go to polls in the fifth phase, and counting of votes will take place on May 23.