2nd Stage of Kashmir Polls Begin

Sunday, November 23, 2008 at 1:15 pm

2nd Stage of Kashmir Polls Begin GANDERBAL: Hundreds of voting stations were opened Sunday for a second stage of state elections in Indian Kashmir as thousands of troops provided tight security, officials said.

The voting comes amid heightened tensions after two young Muslims were shot dead by police during anti-India protests on Saturday in the town of Baramulla, 55 kilometres (34 miles) north of summer capital Srinagar.

“All the 530 voting stations were thrown open at 8:00 am in the six assembly segments going to the polls today,” said Kulbushan Jandial, head of the state information department.

He said security was tight at all the stations because they had been identified by security officials as “hyper-sensitive and sensitive” locations.

Muslim militants and separatist politicians have called for a boycott of the polls, arguing elections strengthen India’s hold over the region. However, the first round of voting last week saw more than 60 percent turnout.

Indian Kashmir was put under federal rule in July following the collapse of the state government over a land row that triggered a revival of anti-India demonstrations that left 50 Muslims dead in ensuing security force action.

The elections come at a time when anti-India sentiment runs deep in Muslim-majority Kashmir valley, where most people favour independence from mainly Hindu India or a merger with predominantly Muslim Pakistan.

Voters at a polling booth in Ganderbal town, 25 kilometres northeast of Srinagar, said they wanted an end to the violence.

“Since July scores of Muslims have been mercilessly killed in firing incidents on peaceful demonstrations,” said Ghulam Qadir, 54.

“We will elect people who will not be cruel,” he said.

Overnight, angry protesters in Baramulla attacked Mehbooba Mufti, the head of the reformist pro-India People’s Democratic Party (PDP), a police officer said.

Mufti escaped unhurt but her three security guards were injured as protesters hurled stones at her motorcade.