Voting begins to pick up in J-K by 11 AM

Voting began to pick up in Baramulla and Ladakh Parliamentary constituencies of Jammu and Kashmir, as nearly 15 per cent voters exercised their franchise up to 11 AM, ignoring militant threats and boycott call of separatists in north Kashmir.

Baramulla Lok Sabha seat, where several incidents of militant violence have been reported since yesterday, recorded a turnout of nearly 10 per cent in the first four hours of polling, which began at 7 AM, officials said.

In Ladakh Lok Sabha seat, Leh district recorded 14.10 per cent turnout till 11 AM while Kargil district recorded 26 per cent during the corresponding period.

Kupwara district recorded a healthy turnout of 20 per cent in the corresponding period while in Bandipora, 14.8 per cent voters exercised their franchise in the same period, the officials said.

Voting in Baramulla constituency was sluggish in the first two hours but picked up as the day progressed.

Separatists had called for a poll boycott but the turnout in the Baramulla constituency so far suggests that the voters have not paid much heed to it.

While polling has been peaceful in Ladakh seat, there were several incidents of violence reported from various parts of Baramulla constituency since yesterday including attacks on two polling stations and a security forces camp, which left five security personnel injured.