Srinagar, Apr 18, CNS
Kashmir observed a complete shutdown on Thursday, even as several protesters and Forces personnel were injured in clashes in Central Kashmir's Budgam district during the 2nd phase of Parliament elections. The police however said the day passed off peacefully.
Authorities had suspended mobile internet service in Central Kashmir while high-speed internet was chocked in Northern and Southern districts of Kashmir. Even train service was suspended as a precautionary measure across Kashmir.
At least 12 candidates were in fray for Srinagar Parliament seat for which polling began at a mute mode on Monday. Those who are in fray for this seat included Farooq Abdullah from National Conference, Sheikh Khalid Jahangir from BJP, Aga Syed Mohsin Almosvi from PDP, Abdul Rashid Ganaie from National Panthers Party, Showkat Hussain Khan from Janta Dal United, Abdul Khaliq Bhat from Shiv Sena (Hindustan), Irfan Raza Ansari from People's Conference, Nazir Lone from Rashtriya Jan Kranti Party, Nazir Sofi from Manau Adhikar National Party, Bilal Sultan from Awami Itihaad Party while Abdul Rashid Banday and Sajad Ahmed Dar were in the fray as Independent candidates.
The Joint Resistance Leadership had called for a state-wide shutdown and asked the people to stay away from these elections, stating that the entire exercise was “futile and a military operation aimed at diluting the core issue of Kashmir.”
At least 20,000 policemen and 45,000 Central Reserve Police Force personnel were deployed to guard polling booths across Jammu and Kashmir, while heavy deployment of forces was made across Srinagar and other poll-bound areas to thwart any anti-election protests.
Despite heavy security arrangements youth clashed with the government forces in central Kashmir's Budgam district. Reports said that scores of the people especially youth assembled in Beerwah, Kandoora, Chewdara, Kawoosa and Rathsun , Nasralahpora villages of the district.
Three people were injured as the government forces opened fire on protesters in Hafroo village of Chadoora in central Kashmir's Budgam district.
Youth according to reports started throwing stones at the forces deployed on election duty in the area. The stone throwing youth were responded with forces firing bullets and pellets.
Two CRPF personnel were injured in Beerwah clashes. Reports added that youth pelted stones on government forces deployed for polling duty and polling stations and forces retaliated by using tear smoke shells to disperse the protestors.
Clashes also erupted in Tulmulla and Cherwan Kangan areas of Central Kashmir's Ganderbal district.
Reports said that a constable identified as Muzamil Ahmad 836/AP 5th battalion received injuries at his leg during stone pelting at Boys Higher Secondary School Chrar-e-Sharief.
Roads across Srinagar, especially the city center LalChowk, wore a deserted look as commercial establishments remained closed while traffic was off the roads. Very thin private transport was seen on the roads. A witness said that in Downtown areas, a large number of forces personnel were deployed to prevent possible anti-election protests, though the police had not imposed any restrictions.
A witness said that clashes broke out between youth and forces at Kreshbal and Pamposh colony area of Srinagar. Despite some disturbances, people were seen at polling stations. Various polling stations wore deserted look while in dozens of polling station, voters visited in scattered form.
A police official said that there was no major untoward incident anywhere in the poll-bound areas. (CNS)
