SRINAGAR: Amidst a complete shutdown, sporadic protests in parts of the Valley, the first phase of the municipal and local body polls started today on a dull note across the Valley.
Heeding to the call of joint resistance leadership (JRL), all shops, business establishments and petrol pumps remained closed in Srinagar against the conduct of municipal and local body polls in the state.
Amid shutdown intensified security arrangements were witnessed in the volatile areas of Srinagar especially in old city. In poll bound areas of Bandipora and Srinagar, clashes broke out this afternoon when the voting for the urban local body polls were underway.
A BJP candidate was injured in Bandipora after attacked by angry youth him near Dachigam polling booth. Adil Ahmad Buhru, who is contesting from Ward-15, sustained injuries in his head, reports said.
A woman was also injured during a protest in north Kashmir . Shabeena, wife of Javid Ahmad Dar was injured after being hit by pellets when clashes erupted in Lankreshipora village here this afternoon.
Meanwhile, clashes have also erupted in Plan Bandipora near government girls higher secondary school. The government forces are using teargas shells to disperse the stone-throwing youth.
In Srinagar’s Bagh-e-Mehtab, groups of youth hit the streets and staged anti-election protest. The protesters clashed with the government forces, deployed in the area for smooth conduct of polls.
Meanwhile, internet service was snapped in parts of south Kashmir, while in rest of the Valley the bandwidth of internet was reduced to 2G in wake of the elections. The first phase of municipal and local body elections started this morning. 1204 candidates are in fray in the first phase of polls. (PTK)
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