Baramulla: Local residents of Baramulla on Sunday protested against the political parties boycotting upcoming general and local body elections. Residents also organised a march against the Uri rape case and the killing of a Hurriyat activist by an unknown person. 

Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Farooq Abdullah on Saturday had said that the National Conference (NC) would boycott the 2019 Lok Sabha and Assembly polls. Similarly, People’s Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti has also announced the boycott of the civic elections.

Baramulla district has been on the receiving end of the cross-border infiltration and sponsored terror.

Jammu and Kashmir Awami Forum, who had called the protest, said, "Baramulla on Sunday witnessed the gathering of people in large numbers at the Dak Bangalow where the convention was held, culminating in a march at town hall near the DC office that firmly spoke against the double standards of separatists and political parties – mainly the National Conference boycotting upcoming local bodies and panchayat elections, who are actually responsible for such menace in the society, militancy, violence, insurgency, corruption and addiction”.

They also requested locals to participate in upcoming elections. "It is an unmistakable appeal to all peace-loving residents to unite and fight against divisional forces and restore the valley to its former glory by taking a step towards participating in state body’s upcoming elections," the forum said in a press statement.