J&K panchayat polls begin

Srinagar: Ignoring the separatists’ call for boycott, residents of this south Kashmir block today turned out in numbers to cast votes in the first phase of Panchayat elections, which are being held in Jammu and Kashmir after a gap of 10 years.
Men and women turned up in dozens at polling stations earlier than the scheduled 8.00 AM start.
Polling is being held in eight blocks including Bishnah, Samba and Udhampur in Jammu district and Kangan, Budgam, Qoimoh and Kupwara in Kashmir region.
Similar reports of enthusiastic turn out have been reported from other areas of the Valley going to polls today including Budgam and Ganderbal areas.
More than 2,800 candidates are in the fray for the first phase of the panchayat elections.