Srinagar: At least eight persons were killed and dozens more injured as the security forces fired on protesters and stone-pelting mobs across Srinagar as the Lok Sabha byelection was held on Sunday. Officials said over 100 security personnel were also injured as violent mobs attacked polling stations and clashed with the security forces along the street, mainly in Budgam district.
The separatists’ poll boycott calls were by and large obeyed, with just 80,000 out of 12,61,000 registered voters turning up at the polling stations.
“Approximately 6.5 per cent votes were polled, but this is a tentative figure as we are still getting the data, and it may increase,” said J&K chief electoral officer Shantanu at a press conference in the evening. The statement issued by the government later quoted the CEO as saying that 7.14 per cent votes were polled. This is the lowest-ever turnout recorded in an election in Jammu and Kashmir since 1996, when the polls to the state Assembly took place after a gap of nine years of turmoil and peak insurgency.
“As many as 200 incidents of violence were reported from across the constituency, in which six civilians lost their lives and 17 others were hurt. Over 100 police and other security personnel were also injured,” the CEO said. The authorities later said that eight persons were killed in the security forces’ action across the constituency. Shantanu added that some EVMs were snatched away.
Separatists call for 2-day Valley strike
The snatched EVMs were later recovered, said J&K chief electoral officer Shantanu, but did not say how. An alliance of key separatist leaders has now called for a two-day general strike in the Valley from Monday to protest the deaths. Authorities are also mulling curfew-like curbs in parts of Srinagar and Budgam. The Internet has been out since Saturday.
Irate crowds started attacking booths as soon as polling started at 7am, forcing a stop at least 10 polling stations.
Security forces then fired teargas and pellet shotguns at the stone pelters. Most casualties were from Beeru, Magam, Chadoora, Pakharpora and other areas of Budgam.
