Kashmir observes bandh to mourn Pahalgam massacre
Srinagar: Kashmir is observing a shutdown on Wednesday as a mark of grief and protest against the brutal incident in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam where at least 26 people, including tourists, were killed in a terror attack.
Spearheading the protest, the Chamber of Commerce and Industries Kashmir (CCIK), Jammu and Kashmir Hoteliers Club (JKHC), key travel associations, transporters, restaurant owners, and civil society groups called for the Kashmir bandh, urging the public to pause routine activities for a day in solidarity with the victims, as reported by Deccan Herald.
Officials stated that in Srinagar, most shops, fuel stations, and businesses remained shut, with the exception of outlets dealing in essential commodities.
A shutdown is being observed in Kashmir following the killings of tourists in Pahalgam. Political parties, sociopolitical groups and civil society have called for a bandh to protest the innocent killings. pic.twitter.com/Gh9TicA7zl
— Basit Zargar (باسط) (@basiitzargar) April 23, 2025
Tariq Rashid Ghani, President of CCIK, condemned the attack as a “barbaric act of violence” and stressed the need for a collective response to such atrocities.
“This is not just a tragedy — it’s a wake-up call. An attack on tourists is unprecedented and deeply disturbing. We must speak with one voice to condemn this violence and show that Kashmiris reject terror in all forms,” DH quoted Iqbal Tramboo, a Srinagar-based hotelier as saying.
Former Chief Minister and PDP president Mehbooba Mufti expressed deep anguish over the incident and extended her support to the bandh. “A united stand against violence is the need of the hour,” she said.
Peaceful demonstrations were held at several locations in the Valley, where protestors condemned the deadly attack and called for an end to the killing of innocent civilians.
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CM Siddaramaiah alleges ‘criminal conspiracy’ in Sringeri recount, vows legal action
Bengaluru (PTI): Alleging a “criminal conspiracy” by BJP candidate D N Jeevaraj in the Sringeri Assembly poll recounting, Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah on Tuesday said the outcome was manipulated after valid postal ballot votes in favour of Congress leader T D Raje Gowda were tampered with during the recounting process.
Following a Karnataka High Court order on an election petition filed by Jeevaraj, challenging Raje Gowda’s election, the reverification and recounting were conducted on Saturday.
After the reverification and recount of postal ballots for the Sringeri Assembly constituency, votes polled in favour of Raje Gowda were reduced by 255, the returning officer said.
A report on the matter has been submitted to the Election Commission of India for further action, the officer added.
Congress leader Raje Gowda had won the 2023 Assembly polls from Sringeri by 201 votes, defeating his nearest rival Jeevaraj.
Addressing a press conference in Bengaluru, Siddaramaiah said the High Court had directed the recounting of postal ballots and that irregularities were noticed during the exercise conducted on May 2.
“This is a clear case of criminal conspiracy,” Siddaramaiah said, alleging that valid votes cast in favour of Raje Gowda were altered after being accepted by counting agents of all parties, including Congress, BJP, and JD(S).
He claimed that during the recounting of postal ballots, 255 votes were initially accepted as valid by all agents but were later tampered with by subordinate officials.
“There is a second mark on the votes polled in favour of Raje Gowda. They had accepted these as valid votes. Subsequently, another mark was made by officials. This is a clear case of criminal conspiracy,” he said.
When asked who was behind the alleged conspiracy, the CM replied, “It was hatched by Jeevaraj and others. It is planned.”
Siddaramaiah further alleged that the returning officer acted improperly by declaring the result despite the presence of an Election Commission observer during the recounting.
“Immediately after the counting, the returning officer announced the result. He should not have done so; this is against the law,” he said.
He pointed out that Raje Gowda had originally won by 201 votes, but after the recounting, the BJP candidate was declared the winner by 52 votes.
“The BJP has committed a criminal act of conspiracy. This is not vote chori but vote dacoity,” he alleged.
The CM said a police complaint had already been filed by Raje Gowda’s election agent, Sudhir Kumar, and emphasised the need for electoral integrity.
“We want transparency and free and fair elections. That is what our Constitution mandates,” he added.
Stating that the government would pursue legal remedies, Siddaramaiah said, “We are preparing an appeal challenging the returning officer’s announcement in a court of law.”
Responding to a separate query on elections in other states, the CM said there appeared to be an anti-incumbency factor in West Bengal, while results in Tamil Nadu were “surprising,” adding that Vijay’s party was emerging as the largest there.
Following the victory of party candidates in Bagalkote and Davanagere South, Siddaramaiah expressed confidence about future electoral prospects in Karnataka.
“Even in 2028, we will win the Assembly elections. We will come back,” the CM said.
Siddaramaiah added that he would order a forensic examination into the alleged tampering of postal ballots.
