Originally published by the Voice of America (www.voanews.com).
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November 23, 2008

Second Phase of Elections Held in Indian-Controlled Kashmir
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http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=208CEAB:5F753BCA39991A3B9860EA2FED8F7465D937473925D9872C&
 
Heavy troop deployment prevents an election-boycott march called by
Kashmiri separatists 
The second phase of polling for the legislative assembly in
Indian-administered Kashmir were held today amid heavy security
arrangements. The polls that began on November 17 will be held in seven
phases through December 24.Kashmiri women wait to cast their vote
outside a polling station in Lar, India, 23 Nov 2008It was yet another
day of an undeclared curfew in Srinagar and major towns of
Indian-administered Kashmir. Heavy deployment of troops prevented people
from coming out in response to an election-boycott march called by
Kashmiri separatists. In Ganderbal and Kangan constituencies voting
picked up early. There were lesser crowds than seen in the first phase,
but despite the boycott call by separatists many people voted.
Mehraj-uddin was waiting for his turn to vote in a long line in Watlar
village of Ganderbal district. He says the village has remained very
backward in the past six years, and voters came out to choose a
candidate who would bring some development to the area. Apart from
Kangan and Ganderbal, four constituencies of Jammu province also voted.
Officials said 40 percent voting was recorded until afternoon. At some
places like Kurhama in Ganderbal district, anti- election protesters
clashed with police and raised pro-freedom slogans. The protesters
accused police and troops of barging into their houses and beating
residents. The protesters chanted, "We want only freedom. We are
boycotting the polls. We will not vote at any cost." The separatist
alliance, All Parties Hurriyat Conference, said authorities were using
undemocratic means to suppress poll-boycott campaigns. Authorities have
detained more than two dozen separatists in recent weeks, some of them
under the infamous Public Safety Act, which allows detention up to two
years without trial. Calls for separatist marches or protests are met by
undeclared curfews. Saturday, police shot dead two anti-election
election protesters in Baramulla, fueling further protests. Kashmir has
seen some of the biggest pro-freedom demonstrations i

n the past few months.


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