SRINAGAR: In-Occupied Kashmir, the re-polling at thirty-eight polling stations in Srinagar constituency was marked by a total boycott, curfew, restrictions and complete shutdown.
No vote was cast at many polling stations including Bagh-e-Mehtab in Srinagar and Repora, Chrar-e-Shareef, Khansahib and Galwanpora in Badgam district. Officials confirmed that 519 votes out of around 35,000 were cast at 38 polling stations in the constituency during today’s re-polling. Out of 7,106 votes, only three votes were polled in Badgam until the filing of the report.
The eyewitnesses said that at many places non-Kashmiris were seen casting votes with the security of Indian troops. Polling booths wore a deserted look as no vote was polled at many polling stations.
On the other hand, complete shutdown was observed in Tral and other areas of Pulwama district on the second martyrdom anniversary of Khalid Muzaffar Wani, the brother of martyred Hizbul Mujahideen commander, Burhan Wani. Clashes were reported between protesters and Indian forces in Tral town. Twenty-five-year-old Khalid Wani, who was pursuing Masters degree in Political Science, was killed by the Indian army on this day in 2015. The strike was also held in Doda district today, against the killings in the Valley.
Polling in the valley was suspended after 12 youth including two teenage boys were shot dead and around a hundred were injured after Indian forces opened fire on demonstrators protesting against the holding of sham Indian parliamentary elections.
Former state chief minister Farooq Abdullah, who is contesting the Srinagar seat, slammed the government for its failure to maintain law and order.
Kashmir has been divided between India and Pakistan since the end of British rule in 1947. Both claim the disputed territory in its entirety.
Around 500,000 Indian soldiers are deployed in the region.
Political Science, was killed by the Indian army on this day in 2015. The strike was also held in Doda district today, against the killings in the Valley.
