Roundup: 6 killed by security forces as violence mars by-polls in Indian-controlled Kashmir

At least six people were killed and over 36 others injured in firing by security forces, as violence marred the by-poll for the parliamentary seat in Indian-controlled Kashmir's capital Srinagar on Sunday.

While two people were killed in Srinagar's Budgam district when security forces opened fire on hundreds of protesters who had stormed a polling station at Pakherpora in Chrar-e-Sharief area, two others died in Beerwah and one each in Chadoora and Narbal areas, officials said.

"Security forces deployed in Chrar-e-Sharief area initially fired several warning rounds to disperse the mob, but when it did not relent, they opened fire on the mob, injuring over two dozen people, two of whom later succumbed to their injuries," a senior official said.

"Similarly, in Beerwah area, two persons were killed when the security forces opened fire to disperse a stone-pelting mob that torched a bus and damaged voting machines in a polling booth," another official said.

However, the voter turnout has been very low in Srinagar parliamentary constituency that has a total of 1.261 million eligible voters, officials said. This is notwithstanding the fact that authorities had snapped internet connections for a violence-free poll, amid boycott call by separatists.

In Srinagar, the stakes are high for the state's main opposition National Conference patriarch Farooq Abdullah, who is contesting against ruling People's Democratic Party's (PDP) Nazir Khan.

Some nine candidates are in fray for the seat that fell vacant after PDP leader Tariq Hameed Karra resigned to protest the atrocities on people during the agitation after terror outfit Hizbul Mujahideen's poster boy Burhan Wani was killed by Indian security forces in July last year. Endit