Polling Stops In Jammu & Kashmir's Kishtwar, BJP's Shagun Parihar Claims Threat From PDP & NC Workers

Jammu and Kashmir Election: Voting in Jammu and Kashmir's Kishtwar was briefly halted due to a protest over voter identification. BJP candidate Shagun Parihar alleged harassment by NC and PDP workers.

Jammu and Kashmir elections: File photo of BJP's Shagun Kishtwar (left), police and central forces try to control the protesters at the polling booth in Kishtwar.

Source : PTI/ANI

Jammu and Kashmir polls: Voting had to be halted at a polling station around 1 PM in Jammu and Kashmir's Kishtwar after a protest broke out over alleged misidentification of voters. Police and central forces were seen trying to placate the protesters and disperse the crowd. 

In a video released by news agency ANI, the crowd can be seen hurling abuses as tension escalated. The Kishtwar seat was among the seats that recorded one of the highest voter turnouts. Till 1 PM, the Kishtwar constituency saw a polling percentage of 54.36%.

#WATCH | Jammu and Kashmir: Voting was halted briefly at a polling station in Bagwan Mohalla, Kishtwar following a protest here over the identification of voters. pic.twitter.com/0IFfuA1ZyM

— ANI (@ANI) September 18, 2024

Shagun Parihar, the BJP candidate for the seat, claimed to have been heckled by PDP and NC workers at the polling booth where she went to cast her vote. She said she was even pushed and shoved at the booth. "PDP and NC workers were saying 'send her out of the polling booth and we shall show her'," she claimed.

#WATCH | Jammu and Kashmir: BJP candidate from Kishtwar, Shagun Parihar says, "The (PDP) candidate came here and said this girl is playing the victim card and trying to get sympathy. I felt bad. I said why would I play the victim card and said you have made me a victim. They… https://t.co/vgcVLgrjbB pic.twitter.com/te879tY39W

— ANI (@ANI) September 18, 2024

The Kishtwar seat is fought for by the BJP's Shagun Parihar, the National Conference's Sajjad Ahmed Kichloo, and Firdous Ahmed Tak from the People's Democratic Party. Before casting her vote Shagun Parihar was seen offering prayers at her home. Shagun Parihar's father Ajit Parihar and uncle Anil Parihar were shot dead by terrorists in November 2018.

#WATCH | Jammu and Kashmir: BJP candidate from Kishtwar, Shagun Parihar offers prayers before going to vote for the Assembly polls.

JKNC has fielded Sajjad Ahmed Kichloo and PDP has fielded Firdoos Ahmed Tak from the Kishtwar assembly constituency. pic.twitter.com/tY6fw3vgtF

— ANI (@ANI) September 18, 2024

Parihar, after casting her ballot, said: "The BJP will form its government in Jammu and Kashmir. The people of J&K want peace... Terrorism has been a huge problem, but the BJP has reduced it to a large extent. The PDP and the National Conference have always tried to break the society. They are going to be wiped out and J&K will be free of terrorism soon."

#WATCH | Jammu and Kashmir: After casting her vote, BJP candidate from Kishtwar Shagun Parihar says, "The BJP will form its government in Jammu and Kashmir... The people of J&K want peace... BJP will definitely win... Terrorism is a huge problem. The BJP has reduced terrorism to… pic.twitter.com/KohGg8Za6a

— ANI (@ANI) September 18, 2024

NC candidate Sajjad Ahmed Kichloo said the people were elated to be able to t their votes and choose their representatives to the Jammu and Kashmir assembly. "After 10 years, the people of Jammu and Kashmir got the chance to choose their representative. The people are happy... The lines of people that we are seeing, it is the agitation against inflation and unemployment," Kichloo said.

#WATCH | Kishtwar, J&K: JKNC candidate from Kishtwar, Sajjad Ahmed Kichloo says, "After 10 years, the people of Jammu and Kashmir got the chance to choose their representative. The people are happy... The lines of people that we are seeing, it is the agitation against inflation… pic.twitter.com/NURwc5a3R1

— ANI (@ANI) September 18, 2024