Lok Sabha 2019: Polling In Kashmir Hit As Separatists Call Strike Against NIA’s Custodial Remand Of Yasin Malik

Polling in Kashmir has been facing a lot of resistance, with separatist leaders calling a strike against polling in the first phase of Lok Sabha polls in the valley.

The protest is against NIA’s action against Hurriyat Conference leaders and especially the custodial remand of Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) chief Yasin Malik.

"The complete shutdown (Hartal) is against the so-called Indian parliamentary elections that are going to start from tomorrow from Baramulla parliamentary constituency, against NIA aggression including shifting of JKLF chairman Muhammad Yasin Malik, rigorous questioning of Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and repeated summoning of sons of Syed Ali Shah Geelani to Delhi," the separatists said in a statement, reports The Asian Age.

Shops, businesses, educational institutions remain closed due to the strike as a result. Polling being held in Baramulla Lok Sabha constituency is reported to be very low so far. Only 6.5 per cent of 13.12 lakh voters have cast their votes in the first two hours, which began at 7 am.

Meanwhile, Kashmiri Pandits in Udhampur, Jammu and Kashmir are casting their votes for the Baramulla parliamentary constituency at a special polling station at Municipal Town Hall. A voter said, "We are migrants here. It's our duty to cast vote. We want to return to Baramulla," reports ANI.