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Boycott call, clash mar Kashmir polls

AFP, Sumbhal
Indian Kashmir voted under tight security yesterday for a new state government, with a boycott call by Muslim separatists triggering sporadic clashes but failing to shut down the ballot.
In the Muslim-dominated Kashmir Valley, election officials put the turnout at more than 30 percent, with hundreds of people queuingat polling stations from the early morning.
Higher voting numbers were recorded in Hindu-majority Jammu and mainly Buddhist Ladakh -• two regions where the Kashmiri separatists hold little sway.
Kashmir was put under direct federal rule in July, when the state government collapsed following its controversial decision to give land in the region to a Hindu pilgrim trust.
That crisis sparked a revival of Muslim protests reminiscent of the early 1990s, when an insurgency against Indian rule had just begun.
In an apparent bid to prevent large-scale anti-polling demonstrations, the security forces had rounded up some of the more influential an ti- India figures ahead of the election.
Over two dozen separatist leaders are currently under arrest, some under a law that allows police to hold people for up to two years without trial.
The state elections are being staggered over seven phases, enabling authorities to mount a huge security operation as successive areas vote.
The last stage of voting is scheduled for December 24 in
Srinagar — the urban hub of anti-India rebels.
Among those voting in Sumbhal, situated 30 kilometres (18 miles) north of Srinagar, several said local issues rather than separatist politics had motivated them to defy the boycott call.
"We want freedom but we want development and progress too," said first-time voter Arshad Dar.
"I am voting to elect the government It is not that I am consenting to India's occupation of Kashmir," said another voter. Ghulam Mohammed.
Both hardline pro-Pakistan rebels and moderate separatist politicians argue that conducting any polls strengthens India's control over the disputed state.
"These are sham elections. You can't hold free and fair polls in presence of thousands of occupying troops," said Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, a leading moderate separatist who was one of those under house arrest.
In Bandipora town, north of Sumbhal. police fired teargas and used batons to disperse hundreds of anti-election protesters. Six demonstrators, including two women, were slightly hurt, police said.
"They are traitors. Their participation is tantamount to selling out the blood of martyrs," said protester Javed Ahmed, who had tried to stop people casting their ballots.
"My conscience doesn't allow me to be part of any Indian-held elections. I will vote when we will be free," Ahmed said.
Srinagar and other towns were almost totally locked down, as thousands of troops were out in force to prevent an tielection rallies, witnesses said.
Kashmir is held in part by nuclear-armed India and Pakistan but claimed in full by both nations, which have fought two wars over the region