20 injured in clashes, elderly woman dies after casting vote

Kupwara, April 11: A 13-year-old boy was killed and a youth injured as government forces resorted to live ammunition and pellets as they were returning from election duty in Langate area of north Kashmir’s Kupwara district on Thursday night.

Official sources told GNS that a group of youth allegedly pelted stones at government forces when they were returning from election duty near Mandigam village of Langate. The government forces, they said, fired pellets and used live ammunition, leading to the death of a boy identified as Owais Ahmad son of Mushtaq Ahmad Mir resident of Mandigam Qaziabad. One more youth was also injured due to pellet firing in the area.

A doctor at Handwara hospital told GNS the boy was brought dead and he had multiple injuries.

Meanwhile, a 19-year-old Mohammad Yaseen Bhat was injured due to pellet firing in Pattan and he was shifted to Trauma Hospital in the area from where he was shifted to Srinagar for specialized treatment.

An elderly woman namely Hajira begum (60) wife of Mohd Ashraf Chakan of Bun Nowgam Sumbal after casting her vote at  polling booth in Nowgam fell unconscious and was rushed to nearby hospital where doctors declared her brought dead.

Reports of stone pelting clashes were also recieved from Shakoor Din Mohalla Hajin, Sadnar Sumbal, Khimna Bharabad Sumbal, Lank Reshipora Bandipora, Kazipora Bandipora, JamiaQadeem Sopore, Chewa Sumbal, Kralgund Qaziabad Handwara and Nowgam Sumbal.

20 persons including a CRPF trooper, SRTC driver Abdul Hamid Wani, a goverment official Ghulam Qadri Sheikh and an ASI Mohd Ramzan were injured in clashes.

Two voters namely Nisar Ahmad Sheikh and Bashir Ahamd Ganai received injuries after being pelted with stones at Aloosa Kralpora in Kupwara and Jamia Qadeem Sopore. (GNS)

Suhail Khan

Sopore, April 11: Yet again Sopore town in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district completely boycotted elections on Thursday and recorded lowest turnout among all constituencies for Baramulla seat where the first phase of Lok Sabha polls were held.

Hurriyat Conference (G) chairman Syed Ali Geelani’s hometown among four other villages in north Kashmir’s Apple Town completely boycotted the Lok Sabha polls.

Not a single vote was cast till 6 pm in all the five villages including Dooru, Reshiabad, Yamberzal Payeen, Yadipora and Jageer a hometown of Afzal Guru.

As per an official statement, 4864 out of 111928 votes were cast in Sopore which is the lowest turnout among all constituencies for Baramulla seat where 9 candidates were in fray.

The candidates included Muhammad Akbar Lone of National Conference, Farooq Ahmad Mir of Congress, Raja Aijaz Ali of People’s Conference, Mohammad Maqbool War of BJP, Jahangir Khan of NPP, Abdul Qayoom Wani of PDP, Engineer Rasheed of Awami Itihaad Party and independent candidates Javid Ahmad Qureshi, Syed Najeeb Shah Naqvi.

An on duty official while sharing final details with GNS said, 3209 out of 111928 votes were cast by men while as 1622 females exercised their franchise, with overall total 4.35 percent.

People also stayed away from election process at a number of areas in lower belt of Rafiabad including Ferozpora, Drusu, Saidpora, Parraypora recorded zero percent votes.

In Hajjin area of Bandipora, only 61 votes were polled out of 8171. (GNS)

Srinagar, April 11: A large number of people stayed away from polling booths in AMU scholar-turned-militant Manan Wani’s village in this north Kashmir district and most of those who cast vote said they voted for change to “end bloodshed.”

There were four polling booths set up in the Tikipora village and the one (booth no. 10) where Manan’s family was among listed voters saw lowest turnout of 12.30% with 96 out of 780 electors turning to cast their vote.

The other polling booths—(booth no. 9) recorded 342 votes out of 1164, (booth no. 11)—317 out of 880, (booth no. 12)—151 out of 668votes. 

In all, out of 3400 voters, 906 of them cast the vote, recording a poll percentage of 26.64%.

“We want change. I’m 70 year old. The boycott did not yield anything. We want to send somebody to represent us who will alleviate our sufferings and help end bloodshed,” said Sanaullah Ganie.  “We need development also. We belong to far-flung areas and there is need for development which would be ensured by better representative,” he told GNS.  

Abdul Samad, another resident of the Tekipora said the main reason for him to cast vote “for a person who will ensure end to bloodbath.”

Manan, a commander of the Hizbul Mujahideen, was killed in encounter with government forces his in Kupwara district in October last year.

The villagers of Saver village of Khurhama in Lolab, who boycotted the Panchayat elections last year, turned up in good numbers to cast their vote.

“We want change and main reason for us to cast vote is to protect Articles 370 and 35A” a youth, flanked by others, said.  

“There are some parties who have malicious intentions. They want to sell Kashmiris but it is our responsibility to stop those forces and choose the right candidate who will save the Kashmiri identity,” he added.(GNS)

Srinagar, Apr 11 : Director General of Police Dilbagh Singh today expressed satisfaction over the way the polls were held in the first phase.

Talking to news agency, the DGP said that no untoward incident was reported from anywhere. “The polling percentage was also good. People came out good numbers. Everywhere the atmosphere was peaceful,” he said.

The DGP said they are making all the preparations for the 2nd phase and hoped everything will remain peaceful.

The first phase of seven phased parliamentary elections commenced. The two Lok Sabha constituencies including Baramulla and Jammu-Udhampur went for the polls today. (KNS) 

Srinagar, Apr 11 : A complete shutdown was on Thursday observed across the Valley on the call given by Joint Resistance Leadership (JRL) comprising of Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and JKLF.

The shutdown call by the JRL was given against the parliamentary elections that began today and National Investigation Agency’s (NIA) aggression.

All the shops and business establishments remained closed throughout the day while as the vehicular movement was also thin on the roads.

The first phase of seven phased parliamentary elections commenced today. The two Lok Sabha constituencies including Baramulla and Jammu-Udhampur went for the polls today.

The government in view of the polls had also ordered holiday in the poll bound areas.

In view of the elections, the authorities had heightened the security across the Valley to ensure smooth and peaceful conduct of the polls.

Witnesses said that the forces deployed on the roads in strength had erected temporary barricades on the roads and were also frisking the commuters throughout the day.

Meanwhile, Geelani continued to remain under house arrest while as Mirwaiz was being questioned at NIA court in New Delhi and JKLF chief Muhammad Yasin Malik continued to remain under custody.

Similarly, reports of shutdown were also received from other districts of southern and northern Kashmir areas.

Besides, the train service was suspended in the Valley. An official said that the train service was suspended for the day as ‘security reasons’.

Moreover, the mobile internet services were also suspended in north Kashmir, where polling was conducted today.

The services were suspended as a ‘precautionary measure’ and continued to remain suspended till the report was last filed.

A top police official however said that the polling day in Kashmir passed off peacefully. (KNS) 

Jammu, Apr 11, : Leader of opposition in Rajya Sabha and former Chief Minister of J&K, Ghulam Nabi Azad said that the Congress believed in development and progressive work.

The Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad, along with MP candidate from Udhampur-Doda parliamentary constituency Vikramaditya Singh and Vice President JKPCC, Ghulam Mohammad Saroori conducted extensive tour of Chatroo, Bunjwah areas of Inderwal constituency in Jammu and Kashmir, the spokesman said in a statement.

Azad said Congress believed in development and progressive work and if the Congress comes to power in the state, we will build more schools, hospitals, colleges and the other institutions in the state. He said Gujjar community has an important role to play in the society. “But unfortunately Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) neglected it since 2014,” Azad said. “Congress party’s manifesto will talk about the welfare and progress of the Gujjar community”. He added that in power, Congress shall provide free education up to Class 12 and free medical treatment to those who belong to Gujjar community. He also said that the party “will make new strict laws so that another shocking incident like Kathua rape and murder does not happen again in the state”.

He said that people of Chenab valley hold the key to power and hoped that they will remain steadfast and united in nipping the conspiracies being hatched by outsiders to divide them. Urging the people of Chenab valley to vote wisely and decisively in order to start the momentum to the development process as also maintain their grip on the levers of power in the State, Azad asserted that a united and forceful voice that will rise from this region will earn them respect and dignity in the politico-governance structure of the State. “I am sure people of Chenab valley will display desired unity and strength to march on the journey of politico-economic empowerment and progress”, said Azad and added that this critical juncture it is incumbent upon the people to exercise their vote with sagacity and maturity in order to maintain their relevance and status on the political landscape of the State”.

Urging the people of Chenab valley to vote in favour of Congress party in huge numbers, he said, “it is Congress party alone which has allowed an opportunity to the people of this backward and remote region to carve out space for themselves in the democratic order of the State”, adding “Congress has given a sense of identity to the people of Chenab valley and this is duly acknowledged by the visionary and farsighted people of this region”.

“While we have created new districts and units in Chenab valley for the comfort and convenience of people, in the next tenure my agenda will be creation of a new and creative governance structure matching the developmental needs of the region”, Azad said, adding “I promise empowerment and development to the people of Chenab valley, if they repose trust and confidence in the Congress party”. Claiming credit for setting out Chenab valley on the path of progress and development since 2002 after people of Chenab valley reposed confidence in Congress Party, he said, “I do not say that everything has been achieved but I can say with full conviction that it is Congress party which has demonstrated intentions, will and ability to develop this tough region of the State”.

Unfolding Congress vision for Chenab valley, Azad said that he will strive to make it a modern and progressive region of the State if people repose their faith in favour of Congress candidate, adding “if voted to power, Chenab Valley will be converted into model region with excellent roads, power projects, attractive tourist infrastructure, health facilities, educational institutions, employment opportunities, and above all inter-community faith and harmony which unfortunately has come under threat of late. He appealed to people to vote and support the Congress candidate from the constituency Vikramaditya Singh.

Srinagar, Apr 11,: A youth was killed during clashes in Mandigam village of Kralgund in North Kashmirs Handwara identified as Owais Ahmad son of Mushtaq Ahmad Mir son of Mushtaq Ahmad Mir resident of Mandigam Kralgund Qaziabad.

 Election process started with brisk polling on Thursday.  The poll process started at 7 in the morning in the Baramulla Lok Sabha constituency that is spread over 15 assembly segments in three districts of north Kashmir- viz, Baramulla, Bandipora and Kupwara.

   The nominees from the seat are– Muhammad Akbar Lone of the National Conference, Farooq Ahmad Mir of the Congress, Raja Aijaz Ali of the People’s Conference, Mohammad Maqbool War of the BJP, Jahangir Khan of the NPP, Abdul Qayoom Wani of the PDP, Engineer Rasheed of Awami Itihaad Party and independent candidates Javid Ahmad Qureshi, Syed Najeeb Shah Naqvi.

   Reports said that there was a brisk polling at Uri, Sumbal block, Kupwara, Pattan, Tangmarg, Kupwara and Sangrama. People stayed away from election process at a number of areas including Hajin in Bandipora, Brath in Sopore and Babgund in Handwara. Incidents of stone-pelting were reported at Palhalan, Gund Jahangir and other places. In Ajas area of Bandipora only 22 votes were polled at two polling booths. At Nathnusa Kupwara, some cast vote while others indulged in stone-pelting.

    Some of the areas in the constituency, particularly falling in Kupwara and Bandipora districts, were still snowbound but poll staff and material had been dispatched to respective polling stations. Brisk polling was witnessed in these areas. Authorities had established 1,749 polling stations at 1,387 locations for over 13.12 lakh voters to exercise their franchise. All arrangements, including the security plan for the polling day, had been finalized for smooth, free, fair and transparent conduct of elections.

   Sopore town in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district recorded the lowest turnout in all Constituencies for Baramulla, reports said.