Six killed in Kashmir as violence mars bypolls
LOW TURNOUT Reports of booths being attacked, voting machines being damaged in parts of central Kashmir, Farooq Abdullah accuses government of trying to obstruct election process
An abysmal 6.5% polling was recorded in the bypoll for the Srinagar Lok Sabha seat on Sunday amidst widespread violence that claimed at least six lives.
The seat is, among others, being contested by Jammu and Kashmir’s former chief minister Farooq Abdullah.
State’s chief electoral officer Shantanu said more than 100 security personnel had been injured and that 50 to 100 booths may need to see re-elections.
Large spread violence was reported from Budgam area in central Kashmir, which in addition to Srinagar and Ganderbal, also saw voting.
Reports suggested polling stations were attacked and EVM machines were broken at many places.
Severe clashes were reported from Delwan and Chadoora area where two people lost their lives. Locals said a group of boys tried to attack a polling station but the security forces opened fire, resulting in the two casualties. Three others were injured in the incident.
A similar incident was reported in Beerwah area where another person lost his life during the clashes.
Confirming the deaths, DIG central Kashmir GH Bhat said the police was verifying the incidents.
MLA of Budgam Agha Ruhullah said miscreants attacked most of the polling booths in Beerwah and Budgam.
For the first time in Kashmir, internet services were suspended during elections.
Blaming the PDP-BJP government for not providing a conducive atmosphere for the polls, NC patron and party’s candidate for Srinagar Farooq Abdullah said,
“People fought for this vote. They should have been able to exercise it. There is evidence that the government is trying to obstruct the polling.”
A number of others states too saw by-elections, but only for Assembly seats. Polling was peaceful in Assam, Himachal, Bengal, Karnataka, Rajasthan and Jharkhand.
In Madhya Pradesh, where three constituencies saw elections, there were reports of violence and allegations of booth capturing.
Around 68% polling took place in Jharkhand’s Littipara assembly, where tight security arrangements were made.
Delhi’s Rajouri Garden assembly bypoll saw a poor turnout, 35% till 3 PM, with polling stations across the west Delhi seat remaining largely desolate.
Chief Electoral Officer Chandra Bhushan Kumar told PTI that voting machines with a paper audit had to be changed in around 30 places.
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