Fear of violence keeps Srinagar turnout low

Polling stations in Srinagar city wore a deserted look while those in rural areas such as Ganderbal, Kangan and Badgam witnessed moderate to low voting, officials said.

Jammu and Kashmir's summer capital Srinagar on Monday resembled a ghost city as voters largely kept away from polling booths during parliamentary elections in which the main candidate is National Conference leader Omar Abdullah.

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Polling stations in the city wore a deserted look while those in rural areas such as Ganderbal, Kangan and Badgam witnessed moderate to low voting, officials said.

Abdullah, son of former chief minister Farooq Abdullah, is pitted against Ghulam Nabi Lone of the ruling People's Democratic Party (PDP).

Srinagar is one of Jammu and Kashmir's six Lok Sabha constituencies.