Schools set ablaze in Pulwama, Shopian; PDP seeks postponement: Anantnag by-polls

In a bid to obstruct the upcoming Anantnag by-polls, miscreants on Monday set the government schools designated as polling booths on fire. A Government Middle school in Shopian`s Padarpora was set ablaze by unidentified people today. On Sunday, the Government High School in Pulwama was razed to the ground in a similar manner. Meanwhile, the Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has urged the Election Commission to postpone the by-polls in Anantnag. “April 12th by-polls in Anantnag should be postponed,” said Tasaduq Mufti, the brother of Jammu and Kashmir…

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Kashmir shuts against civilian killings, Heavy security across valley as resistance call shutdown to protest death of 8 persons in Srinagar bypoll violence

Life in Kashmir valley has been thrown out of gear in response to a strike call given by joint Hurriyat leadership to protest the killing of eight civilians on the election day on Sunday. Shops, business establishments and government offices are closed. Traffic is also off the roads. Police and para-military forces are keeping a strict vigil. Kashmir Post correspondent reports that the anger against yesterday’s killing is palpable and situation is on the edge. The Hurriyat has given two day strike for Monday and Tuesday to register the protest.…

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7.14% Polling in Srinagar seat, lowest ever in 5 decades

Amid large-scale protests and clashes, the high-profile Srinagar parliamentary segment that went to polls on Sunday recorded the lowest-ever voter turnout, with the Election Commission of India authorities putting the overall polling percentage at 7.14, considered to be worst in five decades. Regarding the killings by forces, the CEO said “it was not a good day for all of us.” Addressing a news conference here, J&K’s Chief Electoral Officer Shantamanu said nearly 7.14 percent polling was recorded in the segment for which the by-election was necessitated following the resignation of…

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In Budgam segments, people side with boycott ‘In memory of martyrs’

As the news about two killings in Charar-i-Sharief area spread in area by late afternoon, more people including women and young girls came out to protest. At Aripanthan in Beerwah area of Central Kashmir’s Budgam district, the polling staff sat in one of the corners of a room, anxiously waiting for voters to turn up. The polling time had started at 7 in the morning but by 12 pm none of the total 938 votes had been cast. “The situation is same everywhere in the area. We just want the…

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Rohingyas in Jammu have overstayed their welcome

There can be no justification for these foreigners who entered unauthorisedly into the Indian territory, travelling several hundreds of miles to settle in Jammu, the northern end of the country.  It is patently wrong to paint the voices seeking deportation of Rohingyas and Bangladeshis settled in Jammu as an onslaught on any particular community. This is a cry for weeding out the security threat elements from the peace-loving people of Jammu who have lived in peace for decades. Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs and Christians have been living in one another’s neighbourhood…

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Resistance group calls for 2 Day Shutdown, Hails people for boycott; asks NC, PDP to apologize to people

Hailing people for boycotting the bypolls to Lok Sabha parliamentary seat, joint Hurriyat leadership Sunday called for complete shutdown on April 10 and 11 against killing of eight civilians in forces firing on poll day. In a joint statement, Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Mohammad Yasin Malik strongly condemned eight civilian killings in Beerwah, Pakharpora, Budgam and Ganderbal. They termed the killings as “act of state terrorism” and expressed deep sorrow over the killing of unarmed civilians and injuries to hundreds others. They asked people to observe complete…

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8 Killed, Hundred’s injured during bypolls in Srinagar, 7% Turnout

5 of injured critical Scores hit by pellets Black day for Democracy DGP says over 100 forces personnel injured Internet blockade, which may continue till Apr 12, helps little to tackle situation 8 youth killed, 150 injured by forces as large-scale protests, clashes mar polling in Srinagar parliamentary constituency Bullet Pips Ballot: 8 killed amid 7% voting ‘Polling booth set ablaze, vehicles attacked, EVMs damaged, some booths closed down’ Srinagar 3.84%, Budgam 8.82%, Ganderbal 14.71% At least eight youth were killed by forces and over 150 injured as large-scale protests…

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