8 Dead, 100 Injured As Violence Mars By-Election In Srinagar

Violence marred the polling in Srinagar Lok Sabha constituency with eight people killed in firing by security forces.

Stone-pelting was reported from over two dozen places across the three districts of Srinagar, Budgam and Ganderbal which constitute the Srinagar constituency. The main contestants for the seat are Farooq Abdullah, the joint candidate of the National Conference and the Congress, and Nazir Ahmad Khan, the ruling PDP's nominee.

Army was called in to assist security forces control a rampaging mob which pelted stones and hurled petrol bombs to set a polling booth ablaze in Ganderbal.

More than 100 security force personnel were injured in the violence, officials said, adding that several civilians were also injured in police firing.

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Electoral Officer Shantmanu said a poor 6.5 per cent polling took place in the parliamentary seat. "I cannot say anything about the repoll as of now. The figure can be anywhere around 50 or 100 polling stations or more than that," he told reporters.

While two persons each were killed Pakherpora in Chrar-e- Sharief, Beerwah and Chadoora areas of Budgam district and one person died in the district's Magam town, which is known as the gateway to Gulmarg. Another person was killed in Barsoo in Ganderbal district.
Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and and his father Farooq Abdullah later attacked the Mehbooba Mufti-led state government for having "completely failed" in ensuring smooth conduct of the polls.

In all, bypolls were held in nine Assembly constituencies in seven states, besides the Srinagar parliamentary seat