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India-Pakistan | ||
Violent clashes occur as Kashmir votes | ||
2008-11-18 | ||
SRINAGAR, Indian-controlled Kashmir (CNN) -- Indian police clashed with separatist groups as voters went to the polls in Indian-controlled Kashmir on Monday. Muslim separatist groups blocked polling stations and shouted anti-election slogans as they protested Indian rule and alleged voter intimidation.
"We are voting to elect our local representative to take care of our local needs of roads, water and power supply. Our vote cannot resolve the Kashmir problem," said local resident Mohammed Afzal. Despite the violence, long lines of voters wrapped around polling stations in Bandipore early Monday morning. Forty-four percent of Bandipore district residents voted Monday, according to chief election officer B.R. Sharma. Voter turnout in the seven other constituencies where voting opened without major protests Monday was around 55 percent, Sharma said. Indian-controlled Kashmir will have a seven-phase polling process leading to a newly elected government by the new year. | ||
Posted by:Steve White |