UPDATED ON:
Saturday, December 13, 2008
11:25 Mecca time, 08:25 GMT
 
News CENTRAL/S. ASIA
Clashes mar Indian Kashmir voting
Separatist leaders have called on Kashmir's Muslims to boycott the elections [AFP]

Protesters have clashed with some of the thousands of government security forces patrolling the street for elections in Indian-controlled Kashmir.

Police used tear gas, batons, and fired bullets into the air on Saturday to disperse hundreds of people who were urging a boycott of the fifth phase of the state elections.

Four protesters and three policemen were injured in a clash at Koel village, south of the city of Srinagar, AFP news agency reported, citing police.

Police also reported demonstrations in two other villages in the area.

Anti-government sentiment runs deep in predominantly-Muslim Kashmir, where many residents favour either independence or Pakistani rule.

Armed separatist groups have fought the Indian government since 1989, with the violence leaving at least 50,000 people dead, according to official figures, and thousands more according to human rights groups.

High turnout

Separatist leaders had have condemned the polls, saying they will only entrench Indian control.

Despite this, voter turnout was reported to be high.

More than 800,000 people were eligible to cast their ballots across 11 districts in Saturday's round of voting.

The state has more than 6.5m eligible voters, but authorities have staggered voting to be able to maintain tighter control in the region.

During the first four largely-peaceful voting stages, turnout averaged more than 60 per cent, which is regarded as reasonably high.

The elections come after some of the largest protests against Indian rule in the region.

In July, a Hindu-Muslim land dispute triggered major anti-India demonstrations, leading to the state government's collapse and the imposition of federal rule.

Two rounds of voting remain. The seventh and final round of the vote takes place on December 24, with results due four days later.

 Source: Agencies
Feedback Number of comments : 4
 
Ayub
Afghanistan
13/12/2008
Free Kashmir Now.
The BJP needs to get out of Kashmir and let the Muslims decide their fate in Kashmir.It seems Kashmir might turn into the Palestine of India.I'm positive Israeli and UK influence is interfering in the Region.The Indian govt needs to be careful in regards to the Kashmiris grievances.India needs to be very careful especially after the Bombay Bombings.

venkataramana
India
15/12/2008
leave them to decide there fate.
my dear friend ayub that i want to remember you that dont say any integreial part of ''independence of india'' as one community's area. thanks for showing love on fatherhood india let kashmirs decide there fate under the union soverigen teritory of india.ok have a nice day

Cheryl
United States
20/12/2008
Ayub is right
The people of Kashmir have the right, enshrined in international law, to decide their own fate. They can choose between becoming a part of India, a part of Pakistan, or a free and independent nation. Kashmir belongs to KASHMIRIS. That is perfectly obvious!

Iqbal
Canada
24/12/2008
Kashmir does belong to Kashmiris, but they should not separate because a religious leader told them to. They should also take this time to consider how minorities in kashmir (Jammu and ladakh) have been treated. Is Pakistan actually a better choice. All they did in Azad Kashmir is overpopulate it with retired army generals. In the Northern areas, they do not even have any form of provincial government like the other four provinces.

 
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