Pakistanis angry over detentions in Times Sq. case Monday, May 24, 2010
ISLAMABAD – Relatives of three men detained by Pakistan for alleged links to the suspect in the attempted Times Square bombing say the men are innocent.
They
AFP - Thursday, August 6TAIPEI (AFP) - - Taiwan's Beijing-friendly government on Wednesday denied boycotting an Australian film festival amid a row over the e
BERLIN (Reuters) - Chancellor Angela Merkel suffered a double blow on Thursday as a senior party ally in east German
Minister seeks closure of anti-Berlusconi websites Wednesday, December 16, 2009
ROME (AFP) - – The Italian government moved Tuesday to close down Internet sites encouraging further violence against Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who
By ELAINE KURTENBACH,AP Business Writer AP - Wednesday, March 18SHANGHAI - Asia's stock market rally seemed to be running out of steam Wednesday, despite an
Navigation
Primary Navigation
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Top Stories
Most Popular
Secondary Navigation
Australia
China
India
Indonesia
Japan
Malaysia
Philippines
Thailand
Vietnam
Search
Search:
Voting ends in Indian Kashmir amid heavy security
By AIJAZ HUSSAIN,Associated Press Writer AP - 53 minutes ago
SRINAGAR, India - Hundreds of protesters chanting pro-independence slogans clashed with soldiers in the main city of Indian-controlled Kashmir during the last day of voting in state elections.
At least nine people were injured when troops fired tear gas shells and used bamboo batons to stop the protesters marching to the center of Srinagar on Wednesday, a police officer said on condition of anonymity in keeping with department policy.
Separatists have urged residents to protest and boycott the poll, saying the election will only strengthen India's hold on the Himalayan region. Anti-India sentiment runs deep in Kashmir, where most people favor either independence or a merger with Pakistan. Kashmir is divided between India and Pakistan and claimed by both.
The elections, which began Nov. 17, were being held in seven phases. The results are expected to be announced on Dec. 28.
The staggered balloting allowed the government to deploy thousands of security forces in each area in a bid to prevent the deadly violence sparked by elections in 2002 and thwart separatist attempts to enforce the boycott.
Voting in earlier stages of the election was largely peaceful, with a higher-than-expected turnout of more than 60 percent, though scattered anti-India protests have continued throughout.
But voter turnout was low Wednesday in Srinagar, where authorities banned gatherings of more than five people to thwart possible anti-India protests, the police official said. Troops also sealed off neighborhoods with steel barricades and razor wire to prevent people from congregating.
"How can we vote for the candidates who are being protected by soldiers who have killed thousands of Kashmiris," said Shabir Ahmed, a protester in Srinagar.
In Muslim-majority areas in Srinagar, voter turnout was about 20 percent. It was about 70 percent in Hindu-majority areas in Jammu, said B.R. Sharma, the state's chief election officer.
Some 1.6 million of the state's roughly 6.5 million eligible voters live in the areas voting Wednesday.
Relations between longtime rivals India and Pakistan have been especially tense since last month's shooting attacks in Mumbai, which killed at least 164 people. Indian authorities have blamed Pakistan-based Kashmiri separatist group, Lashkar-e-Taiba.
Separatist groups have been fighting since 1989 to end Indian rule. The uprising and a subsequent Indian crackdown have killed about 68,000 people, most of them civilians.
Email Story
IM Story
Printable View
Blog This
Recommend this article
Average (0 votes)
Sign in to recommend this article »
Most Recommended Stories »
Related Articles: Asia Pacific
Voting ends in Indian Kashmir amid heavy securityAP - 53 minutes ago
UN willing to help mediate inclusive dialogue in FijiAFP - Thursday, December 25
Batman blockbuster won't be released in China: studioAFP - Thursday, December 25
Save the kiwi: New Zealand fights for beloved birdAP - Thursday, December 25
Piracy draws China back to the ranks of maritime giantsAFP - Thursday, December 25
Most Popular – Asia Pacific
Viewed
US sees no holiday cheer; Russia, China warn of grim 2009
Housing market feels more pain, bottom not yet in sight
French investor takes life after massive losses in Madoff scandal
Quake zone hero pig named China's animal of the year
Actress Jennifer Aniston appears naked in GQ magazine
View Complete List »
Search:
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Top Stories
Most Popular