Thaindian News

Jammu, May 21 (IANS) Widowed just five days ago, the wife of a murdered Jammu and Kashmir Congress leader Saturday cast her vote, along with her son, in panchayat polls in Kwath village of Kishtwar district to fulfill the dream of development of her husband.

Hanifa Begum, 42, reached the Government Middle School building at Kwath after walking about three km along with her 18-year-old son Gulzar Ahmad, to cast vote. Her husband was beheaded by militants barely five days back.

“I came here only to fulfill my husband’s dream to strengthen the Congress and hence the democracy, and defeat the designs of militants,” said Hanifa with moist eyes.

Her husband Abdul Gani was kidnapped by militants and his beheaded body was recovered from forests.

Hanifa, while talking to local reporters from Kishtwar district, said: “My husband was killed just because he was working for a political party and wanted to bring democracy to the grassroots.”

She recalled how her husband was abducted by three militants who barged into their house while she was cooking. “It was the most dreadful sight.”

According to police, one of the militants involved in the killing of Gani was arrested and identified as Abdul Jabar.

Mohammad Amin, 12, younger son of Hanifa who was clinging on to his mother while she was narrating her woes, broke down. “The government should also behead Jabar like he did my father,” the boy said.

Hanifa said that though the family was still in mourning, “I came to cast my vote to take revenge (in my own way) of my husband’s killing”.

Gulzar said: “I came with my mother to vote so that my father’s dream of bringing better roads, electricity and healthcare facilities to our village is realized.”

Kwath witnessed 85 percent voting Saturday.