Violence marked the fifth phase of polling on Saturday leaving one anti-election protestor dead and two others injured in a police firing
One dead and 2 injured as anti-election protestors clash with police
Violence marked the fifth phase of polling on Saturday leaving one anti-election protestor dead and two others injured in a police firing on pro-separatists mob in Quil village, Pulwama district. Fourteen security force personnel including six CRPF men and eight cops were injured in the ensuing stone pelting by the anti-poll mob.
However, around 57 percent people cast their votes in this phase which saw 11 constituencies went to the polls. Police said a group of people assembled in Quil in the morning and started raising anti-poll protests. As the security forces patrol vehicle passed by, people threw stones and in retaliation, police opened fire. One protester, Muzaffar Ahmad Gania succumbed to his wounds.
"Security forces fired in self defence in which three persons were injured. One of them later was brought dead in the hospital", said Masood Samoon, divisional commissioner Kashmir. A magisterial enquiry has been ordered and district magistrate, Pulwama has been appointed enquiry officer. A report has to be submitted within 15 days.
The violence however, failed to dampen the spirit of voters in south Kashmir. Around 48 percent voters cast their votes in Shopian district and the violence-ridden Pulwama district recorded 47 per cent polling. In five constituencies of Khatua district 66 per cent people cast their votes.
"This is a vote for development. We need representatives who can redress our grievances and that is why you see people in big numbers," said Showkat Ahmad, a voter in Pulwama.
h_ishfaq@dnaindia.net
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