Elections 2019: Clashes Reported in Valley in Second Phase

Srinagar: Clashes between government forces and protestors were reported in many parts of Kashmir, which also observed a shutdown called by the Joint Resistance Leadership comprising Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Yasin Malik in poll-bound areas across the Valley on April 18, 2019 during the second phase of Lok Sabha elections.

All shops and business establishment, government and private offices were closed across valley. Private as well as local transport remained off from the streets.

As per reports, heavy clashes took place at Hafroo Chadoora and Chrar-e-Sharief areas in central Kashmir’s Budgam district. Three civilians were injured at Hafoora when forces used live ammunition and pellets to disperse the protestors.

According to sources, one of them, a woman received pellet injuries on her back.

The protestors outside the polling booth at Government Boys Higher Secondary School Chrar-e-Sharief were chanting slogans of “election boycott”.

Reports said government forces used live ammunition, pellets, tear gas and pepper gas canisters to disperse the protestors, In response, the protestors pelted stones that triggered clashes.

A policeman on polling duty was injured during stone- pelting. He was identified as constable Muzamil Ahmad.

The lowest turnout was recorded in Srinagar 5.7 % and the highest turnout was recorded in Jammu region’s Reasi district 64.6 % till 3 p.m.

In Udhampur constituency, Kathua district recorded 64. 6%, Udhampur 63. 1 %, in Reasi 62.7 %, Ramban 50.8 %, Doda 57.2 %, and Kishtwar recorded 50.4 %.

In Srinagar constituency, 17.1 % of votes were recorded in Budgam district, 14. 4 % were recorded in Ganderbal and Srinagar recorded 5 .7 per cent.

The overall percentage of the votes in J&K was 43.37 % till 5:00 PM.

Many voters and officers at Udhampur district polling station were surprised when a just-married couple arrived at the polling station to cast their vote.

Speaking to the reporters, the couple said they cast their vote in hope for the development of J&K, adding that people should always think properly before wasting their vote. “It depends upon you whether you vote or not because people will try hard to change your mind,” they told reporters.

As per reports, seven hours before polls mobile internet was barred, meanwhile broadband and lease line speed were reduced.

A Voter Displaying His Voter Slip At Budgam Polling Station. Photo Courtesy: Kamran Yousuf 

Can Voting Bring Peace in Valley?

During the first phase of Lok Sabha election, a class VII student was killed by the forces when they opened fire on protestors who pelted stones on vehicles of polling staff. The second phase, too, voters reporting human rights violations in the Valley,  

Gowhar Geelani, a political analyst, told NewsClick that only a meaningful political intervention and willingness from the central government to engage with pro-resolution forces in Kashmir would bring peace in the valley. All else is merely cosmetic, he added.

Despite the narrative adopted by mainstream politicians on Articles 370 and 35 A and despite the crackdown against all pro-resolution forces, arrest of 400 Jamaat-e-Islamia members and sympathisers, banning of organisation, the overwhelming population of Kashmir valley sided with the boycott call, he said, adding that this was a message from Kashmir to the Centre that Kashmir wants a resolution of the dispute.