Discontent in Srinagar

Violence and low poll turnout show Valley's growing alienation

The by-election to Jammu and Kashmir’s Srinagar Lok Sabha constituency was conducted on Sunday, amidst violence and extremely low turnout. There were 200 separate incidents of violence, and seven people were reportedly killed in firing by the security forces. Meanwhile, the turnout, at around 7 per cent, was the lowest in history, if occasions, when the seat was uncontested, are excluded. The previous low was around 12 per cent in 1999. Since then, turnouts have gradually increased in most elections, before falling precipitously again on Sunday. Rattled by the events, the state government, a coalition of the Peoples Democratic Party