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Mukhtar Ahmad in Noorabad
She has escaped four attempts to kill her in the last three weeks.
But Jammu and Kashmir Minister of State for Tourism Sakeena Itoo remained unfazed as she canvassed for support from the people of Noorabad, from where she is the ruling National Conference candidate.
Noorabad in the south Kashmir district of Anantnag goes to the polls in the third phase on October one.
The attacks have transformed her ancestral home in Damhal Hanjipora into a heavily guarded fortress.
"I don't want to talk about the attacks and how I escaped. I want to forget what happened," Sakina told rediff.com. "But I will win from here. The NC will retain this seat and all others in this district. The voting percentage in Noorabad constituency will be over 45 per cent."
Prodded further, a philosophical Itoo said, "Let me tell you death cannot come untimely."
When a party worker approached her, she said, "Don't be afraid. But, at the same time be careful too. Next two days are crucial. Visit villages and try to muster support. I hope they will come out and vote."
"There is fear in the hearts and minds of the people. The massive security presence cannot instil confidence among the public. The militants come during night and tell the villagers not to vote," Itoo said.
As one steps out of Itoo's heavily guarded house, a few flags and buntings are the only pointers to the assembly election.
Asked what he thought was the greatest contribution of the Farooq Abdullah government, Mohammad Youssuf, a shopkeeper, shot back, "What has the NC government done for us? They promised autonomy but the resolution they passed in the state assembly was rejected by the Centre."
"We will decide on the polling day whether or not to vote. The situation is very tense in this area," said another villager Mohammad Shafi.
"I will never vote. The prevailing situation is not conducive for holding polls," said Abdul Rahim, an unemployed youth sitting outside a shop.
The journey to Aharbal, a picturesque health resort and venue for several Bollywood films, was bone jarring.
Sakeena had promised that the road to the health resort would be repaired within one month. "The work is continuing and I hope it will be completed late October," she said.
At Aharbal, an employee of the state tourism department said Itoo, who had come to lay the foundation stone for a government bungalow, took back the foundation stone.
Itoo justifies the disappearance of saying, "As in other places, here too they have removed the stone after the ceremony in view of the prevailing situation in Kashmir."
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