A failed attempt of grenade throwing at an election rally triggered clashes between the workers of ruling National Conference (NC) and Opposition People's Democratic Party (PDP) in south Kashmir's Noorabad area where the two parties are fighting a tough and prestigious electoral battle.
The grenade was lobbed at PDP rally at Gandwani village in Noorabad Assembly segment in south Kashmir's Kulgam district. It fell amongst the followers of PDP candidate Abdul Majid Padder but did not explode. The people immediately caught hold of the grenade thrower and handed him over to 62 Rashtriya Rifles personnel deployed in the area. The RR soldiers later moved his custody to police.
He has been identified as Naushad Ganai, a local resident who has served two-year jail term for his alleged involvement in killing of a treasury officer. His brother, a militant, has been killed by security forces in 2005.
PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti accused NC workers of the abortive attempt. She said that the ruling party has been frustrated by the support PDP candidate has garnered in the area.
Noorabad was the only constituency won by the NC in 2008 elections. Represented by Social Welfare Minister Sakina Itto, the constituency failed to maintain the NC dominance in the recent lok Sabha polls.
Army spokesman lt Col Brijesh Pandey said that Bomb Disposal Squad was summoned to defuse the grenade resting in a roadside drain. Soon after the attempt to disrupt PDP rally, the workers of the party pelted stones on NC workers and their houses. This triggered a pitched street battle in Damhal village and some adjoining areas. Police and security forces were deployed in large numbers to maintain law and order.