Seven people were killed in various incidents of violence during bypolls for Srinagar Parliamentary constituency on Sunday, which recorded an abysmally low turnout of 6.5 per cent. The low turnout is seen as a rebuke to mainstream politics in Kashmir by angry voters.
The lead contenders vying for the constituency are Farooq Abdullah of the National Conference and Nazir Ahmed of the People Democratic Party. The NC and the Congress have forged an alliance against the PDP for the bypolls in Srinagar and Anantnag that goes to polls on April 12.
The Srinagar constituency comprises districts of Srinagar, Budgam, and Ganderbal. Six killings happened in Budgam district that witnessed high violence since the start of the day. One death was reported from Magam town.
Anticipating violence, the government had suspended internet services across Kashmir from midnight on Saturday. That, however, had little impact in controlling violence as the news of killings and violence spread.
Violence erupted soon after polling started in the morning. There were reports of protesters clashing with security forces deployed in and around the polling stations.
In Budgam district, several booths were attacked and one booth was torched. The rampaging mobs also destroyed several Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs).
The Election Commission had mobilised additional 40,000 security personnel to augment the security for a peaceful election. However, scores of frenzied youth mobbed polling stations and clashed with forces manning them resulting the killing of six youth in various parts of Buidgam.
On April 3, three youth were killed at Chadoora in Budgam during an encounter in which a lone militant was killed.
According to J&K Chief Electoral Officer Shantmanu, there were more than 20 incidents of violence in which six people were killed and 17 were injured.
“One hundred security force personnel were injured in clashes with protesters in Srinagar constituency, particularly in Budgam,’’ he said. “The protesters also torched SRTC and private vehicles. There were more than 200 attacks of stone pelting and petrol bombs attacks. One polling booth was set ablaze.’’
He said, out of the 12.61 lakh voters, only 80,000 turned up to vote. “Last time, the constituency had recorded a turnout of 26 per cent,’’ he said.
When asked why the elections were not postponed in view of the recent summer uprising, Shantmanu said the decision was taken by the Election Commission of India.
He agreed that Anantnag would be a major challenge after what has happened in Srinagar constituency. In Anantnag, the PDP has fielded Mufti Tassaduq Hussian against Congress’ G.A. Mir who was supported by the NC. Anantnag has emerged as the hotbed of the renewed separatist sentiment after the killing of Hizbul Commander Burhan Wani and two of his associates on July 8, 2016.
The separatist Hurriyat Conference has called for a two-day strike against the civilian killings on Sunday. The possibility of restoration of internet is unlikely before April 12 when bypolls will be held in Anantnag.
