Srinagar: At least three people were killed and 40 injured in clashes between protesters and security forces while polling was underway for the Srinagar Lok Sabha seat in Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday.
Sources told CNN-News18 that security forces fired at protesters who were trying to disrupt voting in at least eight booths across the Valley. At several other booths, protesters were pushed back without resorting to firing.
At least six polling booths were abandoned by security forces and polling staff due to hostile environment. The violence led to an abysmally low voter turnout of 3.12 percent till 11 am.
According to PTI, hundreds of protestors stormed a polling station at Pakherpora in Chrar-e-Sharief area of Budgam district and ransacked the building. Security forces fired several warning rounds to disperse the mob which did not relent. Six people were injured in the firing. Two of succumbed later.
In another incident, one person was killed in Ratxuna Beerwah area during clashes between security forces and protestors.
An additional 40,000 security persons have been deployed in the Valley.
Reacting to reports of violence, National Conference leader and former CM Omar Abdullah said, “People want to go and vote but the environment is such that people are not stepping out.”
“The State has failed to provide conducive atmosphere for voting. Mehbooba Mufti is responsible for this. There is mismanagement in government,” he added.
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