Despite biting cold even as campaigning in poll bound areas is peaking, the incidents of stone-pelting on candidates and their cavalcade are occurring at a regular pace.
On Wednesday, Rajya Sabha Member Ghulam Nabi Ratanpuri, who is contesting Assembly election on National Conference (NC) ticket from Pulwama constituency of south Kashmir, was attacked with stones resulting to minor injuries to him.
Sources said that Ratanpuri’s cavalcade was campaigning in Renzipora village near Awantipora when a group of youth pelted stones on the vehicles. A stone hit the candidate in his foot and left him bleeding. He was immediately shifted to hospital for treatment. Three other NC workers suffered injuries during the attack.
Several candidates campaigning in capital Srinagar including People’s Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for Amira Kadal constituency Altaf Bukhari, were attacked with stones on Monday. Even Chief Minister Omar Abdullah faced angry protesters at the Deputy Commissioner’s office while accompanying his sidekick Nasir Aslam Wani to file his nomination papers earlier this week.
Ratanpuri said that he has suffered fracture in foot that left him immobile. A police official said that they have registered an FIR in this regard and a hunt has been launched to nab the stone-pelters.