Kashmir shuts on poll day, Clashes erupt in Anantnag parts

Srinagar: Kashmir Valley observed a shutdown following a Joint Resistance Leadership call against the “ill-treatment meted out to JKLF chief Mohammad Yasin Malik who is lodged at Tihar jail in Delhi. The call was also given against the conduct of elections for third phase in South Kashmir’s Anantnag district.
Shops and business establishments remained closed while skeletal movement of traffic was observed on Kashmir roads. Massive security arrangements were made in South Kashmir’s Anantang district that witnessed polling on Tuesday.
Clashes erupted in different parts of Anantnag district including Hawkora Gund, Daharna, Briniti, Dayalgam, Sofishali Kokarnag, Wanihama, Kenalwan,Seerhamdan and other areas.
Violent clashes erupted in Daharna village when protesters tried to attack a polling booth. The Forces resorted to pellet shelling resulting in the injuries of several youth. Reports said that an 18 year old youth whom locals identified as Adil Rashid Malik suffered pellet injuries in his face. He was rushed to District Hospital Anantnag for advanced treatment.
The polling began at 7 a.m. and ended at 4 pm. The polling percentage remained 11.22 throughout the day.
Reports said that in Bijbehara town, the home town of People’s Democratic Party Chairperson Mehbooba Mufti witnessed lowest polling while people visited in large number in Dooru constituency of Congress candidate Ghulam Ahmed Mir.
The candidates for the Anantnag Parliamentary seat in the fray are Hasnain Masoodi of Jammu Kashmir National Conference, Sofi Yousuf of Bhartiya Janta Party, Ghulam Ahmad Mir of Indian National Congress, Mehbooba Mufti of Jammu Kashmir People’s Democratic Party, Nisar Ahmad Wani of Jammu & Kashmir National Panthers Party, Ch. Zaffar Ali of Jammu Kashmir People’s Conference, Sanjay Kumar Dhar of Manav Adhikar Party, Surinder Singh of Pragatisheel Samajwadi Party (Lohia) and Imtiyaz Ahmad Rather, Ridwana Sanam, Riyaz Ahmad Bhat, Zubair Masoodi, Shams Khwaja, Ali Mohammad Wani, Gh Mohammad Wani, Kyasir Ahmed Sheikh, Manzoor Ahmad Khan and Mirza Sajad Hussain Beigh, all independents.
Kokernag Assembly segment has the highest number of 93874 voters (48742 males, 44948 females and 180 service voters) while as Dooru has the lowest 79029 electors, including 40764 males, 37889 females and 374 service voters.
Assembly segment of Bijbehara has 93516 voters (47067 males, 46222 females and 227 service voters), Shangus 89405 voters (45360 males, 43010 females and 1031 service voters), Pahalgam 86735 (44115 males, 42498 females and 121 service voters) and Anantnag 86699 (43555 males, 42973 females and 169 service voters).
Bijbehara assembly segment has the highest number of 46225 female voters whereas Shangus has a total of 1031 service electors which are highest in the district.
Kulgam will go for votes on April 29 while polling will be held in Shopian on May 6.