khasheer fifth phase polling

PULWAMA: Polling in the fifth phase of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections was marred by the killing of a youth in police firing as anti-poll protests rocked Quil and other areas in Pulwama district. But all segments in Pulwama and Shopian districts witnessed moderate to brisk polling. It was 48 per cent in two segments in Shopian and 47 per cent in four constituencies in Pulwama. Kashmir Divisional Commissioner Masaud Samoon said 66 per cent turnout was recorded in Jammu’s Kathua district, where elections were held in five segments. The overall percentage in Saturday’s exercise was put at 57. Braving the chill weather, a large number of people turned up at booths in the Wachi, Shopian, Pulwama, Rajpora, Tral and Pampore segments despite the boycott call given by separatists. But the situation took an ugly turn at Quil when police and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel allegedly forced people to come out and vote, and ransacked their houses. This evoked resentment among the people, who gathered in large numbers and shouted anti-election slogans. The police and CRPF tried to disperse them but they were stoned. They later opened fire, in which at least four people were injured, of whom Muzaffar Ahmad, 21, died in hospital. Following this incident, the Quil area with over 3,000 voters witnessed a complete boycott. The people were angry as they restlessly waited for Muzaffar’s body to arrive from Srinagar. In the neighbouring villages, and also in Parigam and Karimabad, the election was boycotted.

However, later in the day, voters came out in good numbers at several places and the turnout picked up. Both Shopian and Pulwama districts are considered a stronghold of the People’s Democratic Party. Its president Mehbooba Mufti is contesting in Wachi. But in some areas many booths wore a deserted look as the boycott call evoked near-total response. Interestingly, the militancy-infested Tral town witnessed huge polling. Long queues were seen outside booths.Authorities had made elaborate arrangements to ensure smooth polling. All roads leading to Pulwama were sealed to thwart marches by separatists. Senior separatist leaders including Syed Ali Geelani and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq have been put under house arrest, and Srinagar and other towns are under an undeclared curfew. Both leaders condemned the police firing on protesters.Mr. Samoon told journalists that a magisterial inquiry was ordered into the Quil incident. The Pulwama Deputy Commissioner was asked to give his report within 15 days.