A war of words broke out between the Home Ministry and the Election Commission over the holding of the Srinagar Lok Sabha by-poll, which saw large-scale violence on Sunday. The MHA claimed that it had suggested the EC that atmosphere was not conducive for the polls, however, its advice was “ignored”. The Election Commission hit back, saying it is not bound to consult the central government before holding any election. Massive violence and a very poor turnout marred the Srinagar Lok Sabha by-poll on Sunday. At least eight civilians were…
Read MoreMonth: April 2017
12 Yr old battles bullet, Pellet injuries; 35 Yr old critical; 21 Pellet victims may lose eyesight: Poll Day Horror
Another injured, Shakoor Ahmad of Rajouri, who was brought to SKIMS with head injuries, continues to be in “critical condition.” “He has multiple fractures in his head. His condition is bad,” said the doctors. Horror is writ on face of every victim who was injured in security forces’ action on Sunday and undergoing treatment at different hospitals here. At Sher-e-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) here, 12-year old Adnan Lateef is battling for life. Hit by bullet in chest and pellets in abdomen, Adnan, a resident of Habak Srinagar, was…
Read MoreBudgam turns from responsive electoral pocket to epicentre of defiance
Ever since the electoral politics regained ground in Kashmir after 1996, seven years after the outbreak of armed insurgency, the central Kashmir’s Budgam district was one of the most receptive pockets in Kashmir for the democratic process. For every election, be it for the Assembly or Parliament, long queues were seen in the district, especially at Chrar-e-Sharif, the area that defied separatists’ poll boycott call long ago. Cut to 2017. The response at Chrar-e-Sharief and other pockets of the central district, including Chadoora and Beerwah, to the parliamentary by election…
Read MoreWake up India, talk to Pakistan or lose Kashmir: Farooq Abdullah
National Conference chief and former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir Dr Farooq Abdullah today said the violence and loss of lives during the Srinagar bypoll “are a tragedy and a failure of the government of the day.” National Conference chief and former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir Dr Farooq Abdullah, who is contesting the state by-elections from Srinagar, said that the violence and loss of lives during the bypolls in the state “are a tragedy and a failure of the government of the day. They could not provide…
Read MoreAt 7.1%, Kashmir’s mainstream faces existential crisis
With the Srinagar constituency seeing an unprecedented boycott, clouding the next by election in the extremely volatile south Kashmir, the mainstream political parties in the Kashmir valley are facing an existential crisis as new separatism is strengthening its foothold. The 7.1 per cent turnout on Sunday in central Kashmir’s three districts was the lowest-ever in history of the Srinagar parliamentary constituency and of the region. The popular disinterest with the voting process — which was held in the backdrop of last year’s deadly unrest and a series of pro-militant protests…
Read MoreKashmir Valley Shuts down over Civilian Killings
A complete shutdown was observed across the Kashmir valley today in protest against the killing of eight persons during the clashes between protesters and security forces in Budgam district during the polling to the Srinagar parliamentary constituency yesterday. Amid heavy deployment of security forces in sensitive areas and vulnerable points to avoid any law and order situation, there were several incidents of stone-throwing and clashes in different areas of the Valley, particularly in Budgam district. Similar incidents were also reported from many places in Srinagar city and its outskirts. Shops…
Read MoreSrinagar bypolls reflect failure of Kashmir Policy: Rahul Gandhi
Decades of hard work to build trust in the democratic process in Kashmir has been reversed by the BJP government, Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi said today after a poor voter turnout and violence in the Srinagar Lok Sabha bypolls. He also attacked the PDP-BJP government in the state over its “total failure”. “The elections in Kashmir reflect the total failure of the BJP/PDP alliance and the governments Kashmir policy. “Decades of hard work to build trust in the democratic process in Kashmir reversed in less than 3 years by the…
Read MorePost BLOODBath & Low Turnout in Srinagar EC defers Anantnag bypoll to May 25
The by-election for Kashmir’s Anantnag constituency, which was due on April 12, has been pushed back to May 25, the Election Commission today said, accepting the state government’s request for a deferment. The counting of votes will be held on June 1. The Election Commission’s decision came a day after unprecedented violence was witnessed in the elections for Srinagar parliamentary constituency, in which eight people died and nearly 100 were injured. The turnout was the lowest in 30 years — only 7 per cent. The Commission had faced criticism for…
Read MoreSchools 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…
Read MoreKashmir 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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