J-K Panchayat Polls: State registers over 75% turnout in third phase; retired army captain killed in violence

Jammu and Kashmir witnessed an overall turnout of more than 75 per cent on Saturday in the third phase of the panchayat elections, with Kashmir recording 55.70 per cent voting, while Jammu region saw an impressive 83 per cent turnout. The polling also witnessed some violence in which a retired army captain was killed in a clash between rival groups at a polling station.

Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Shaleen Kabra said the state recorded over 75 per cent of polling as 3.20 lakh electorate exercised their franchise in the third phase.

Despite threats from militant groups and boycott by the National Conference and the Peoples Democratic Party, the voters turned up in big numbers, which is seen as major development. The turnout in rural areas was higher in Kashmir Valley unlike during the recent urban local bodies elections where only four per cent of the electorate voted.  

Honorary army captain killed

Honorary captain (retd) Mohd Hafiz, 60, lost his life and several others were injured after a heated argument between two groups turned violent at a polling station in Joura panchayat of Block Kahara in Doda district. The police said of the injured people, two were critical and have been shifted to a local hospital in Kahara.

District-wise turnout

The polling began at 8 am in 2,773 polling stations, including 918 in Kashmir division and 1,855 in Jammu division, and ended at 2 pm.

Poonch: 87.8 per cent

Kupwara: 59.7 per cent

Bandipora: 51 per cent

Baramulla: 30.8 per cent

Ganderbal: 12 per cent

Budgam: 41 per cent

Kargil: 75.6 per cent

Leh: 64.1 per cent,

Kishtwar: 85 per cent

Doda: 77.4 per cent

Ramban: 85.7 per cent

Udhampur: 83.8 per cent

Kathua: 83.2 per cent

Rajouri: 80.3 per cent

Poonch: 87.8 per cent

Ganderbal: 12 per cent

Kathua: 62.5 per cent

Ramban: 62.2 per cent

Rajouri: 61 per cent

Doda: 52.3 per cent

Kishtwar: 51.1 per cent

Bandipora: 40.3 per cent

Badgam: 33.1 per cent

In the first phase, the state witnessed a turnout of 74.1 per cent polling on November 17, while 71.1 per cent of the voters exercised their franchise in the second phase of November 20. The election will be held in six more phases.

According to officials, 727 polling stations have been categorised as hypersensitive, including 493 in Kashmir division and 234 in Jammu division, for the third phase of the polls.

(With PTI inputs)