Clashes erupt in occupied Kashmir amid complete poll boycott

SRINAGAR: Amid complete boycott of the fourth phase of so-called Indian parliamentary elections, clashes erupted on Monday in occupied South Kashmir’s Kulgam district.  

According to Kashmir Media Service (KMS), the Kashmiri youth and Indian forces clashed in Kulgam district where polling is scheduled for Islamabad Lok Sabha constituency.

Several youth were injured when Indian forces fired pellets and teargas shells on the people protesting against the election being held in Kulgam. People, mostly youth, hit the streets in Qaimoh, Bugam and Kujjar areas of Kulgam and raising anti-India slogans marched towards polling stations.

The troops deployed in strength fired pellets and teargas shells and baton charged leaving many protesters injured.

Meanwhile the authorities suspended train service in the Kashmir valley in the second leg of three-phased election in the Islamabad Parliamentary Constituency. “Train service was suspended today as a precautionary measure following apprehension of violence when polling was being held in Kulgam district,” an official said.

It is worth mentioning here that the Joint Resistance Leadership (JRL) has called for a poll boycott and strike in Kulgam district.