J&K by-polls: Srinagar Lok Sabha seat faces internet black out till 12 April

Srinagar: Internet services will remain suspended in the entire Kashmir valley till conclusion of the by-poll for Anantnag Lok Sabha seat on 12 April, official sources said here on Sunday. The decision followed large scale violence during the by-poll for the Srinagar Lok Sabha constituency on Sunday which claimed the lives of 7 people in firing by security forces. Dozens of civilians were wounded, while over 100 security personnel were also injured in clashes.

Srinagar, Budgam and Ganderbal, which form part of the Srinagar Lok Sabha seat will have no internet connections amid reports that Pakistan-based groups were engaged in spreading disinformation on the eve of polls, official sources said.

They said the ban would be removed immediately after polling ends in the Lok Sabha seat for which National Conference president Farooq Abdullah was having a virtual direct contest with ruling PDP’s Nazir Khan.

Stone-pelting incidents were reported from various parts of Budgam and Ganderbal area in which two police personnel were injured.

Crowds indulged in stone pelting in Chadoora, Beerwah, main town Budgam and Pandich and Wakoora in Ganderbal, official sources said, adding one CRPF constable was injured in Budgam and at Wakoora in Ganderbal.

Police were making all attempts to prevent the mob from growing bigger and bigger and at places it had to resort to tear gas shelling to disperse the mob.