J-K: Separatists call for shutdown ahead of Budgam repolling

Re-polling was ordered at 38 polling stations under the Srinagar parliamentary constituency, where bye-polls on April 9 saw large-scale violence.

Srinagar, Apr 12: Separatists on Wednesday called for shutdown in areas of Budgam district in Srinagar Lok Sabha constituency where repolling is re-scheduled to be held on Thursday.

"Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Mohammad Yasin Malik have called for shutdown in poll-bound areas on April 13," the separatist groups said in a joint statement.

They said the main motive behind re-polling is to increase the voting percentage through "rigging and by using bogus voters".

Re-polling was ordered at 38 polling stations under the Srinagar parliamentary constituency, where bye-polls on April 9 saw large-scale violence, in which eight protestors were killed, and a very low turnout of 7.14 per cent.

In widespread clashes with security forces, protesters tried to storm polling stations soon after voting started at 7am. Responding to the call given by Hurriyat leaders to boycott the polls, youths even tried to set ablaze booths in some areas by hurling petrol bombs.

Budgam district, where six youths died in firing by security personnel, was the worst affected. Most of those killed were teenagers

PTI