[Onthebarricades] KASHMIR Protests December 2008

[global resistance roundup]

* Dec 27 - Srinagar - separatists, voters clash
* Dec 24 - Srinagar - protests as voting ends
* Dec 21 - Srinagar - 9 injured in poll protests
* Dec 19 - Anti-protest repression in Valley
* Dec 17 - Srinagar - clashes over elections
* Dec 5 - Kokernag, Anantnag - Uprising after state forces molest girl
* Dec 14 - Pulwama - Protests "mar polling"
* Dec 13 - Pulwama - Police kill 1 in poll protests, voting suspended at 
some sites
* Dec 7 - Srinagar - Protesters, police battle over poll




http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/PoliticsNation/Voters_clash_with_separatists_in_Srinagar_results_on_Sunday/articleshow/3898563.cms

Voters clash with separatists in Srinagar; results on Sunday
27 Dec 2008, 0207 hrs IST, Masood Hussain, ET Bureau

SRINAGAR: Even as Jammu &Kashmir waits for election results, anti-poll 
activists have clashed with voters in many places here. Over a dozen

people were reportedly injured in these clashes that included a 
middle-aged man, who received a bullet injury in police action on Thursday.

On Thursday, there were reports of certain groups operating in many city 
localities and marshaling individuals carrying indelible ink marks on 
their fingers. By afternoon, they attacked a few houses in old city.

The attackers, mostly young men and non-voters, alleged they attacked 
the houses of those who were claiming to be with the Tehreek (movement), 
but were eventually seen voting on Wednesday. A similar attack was 
reported from Chanpora as well. A group pelted stones on the ancestral 
home of a PDP leader in Batamaloo. After seven weeks, Jamia Masjid in 
Srinagar witnessed a Friday congregation. Separatist Mirwaiz Umer Farooq 
told the congregation that an election held in presence of a few lakh 
soldiers is not credible, and will not impact the disputed status of 
Kashmir. This was his first public appearance after remaining under 
house arrest for over two months.

In a separate incident on Friday, supporters of two contestants from the 
Shia locality of Zadibal clashed with each other. In almost an hour of 
rioting, they damaged many houses till the police restored order. The 
votes are being counted on Sunday, and results will be out well before 
dusk.






http://edition.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/asiapcf/12/23/kashmir.vote/index.html?eref=rss_world

December 24, 2008 -- Updated 1722 GMT (0122 HKT)

Protests as last Kashmir vote ends
• Story Highlights
• Kashmir is divided between India and Pakistan and claimed by both
• An 18-year separatist campaign in the region has left at least 43,000 dead
• Elections began after violent protests by anti-Indian groups, Indian 
nationalists
• Thousands of Indian paramilitary troops and police have been deployed

 From Mukhtar Ahmad CNN

SRINAGAR, Kashmir (CNN) -- The heavily guarded, seventh and final phase 
of voting for a state assembly ended Wednesday in Srinagar, the summer 
capital of Indian-administered Kashmir. Results are expected Sunday.

Voters line up in Jammu amid tight security.

Kashmir, divided between India and Pakistan and claimed by both, has 
been wracked by an 18-year, bloody separatist campaign that authorities 
say has left at least 43,000 dead.
The regional elections began in November after months of violent 
protests by anti-Indian groups, fearful state elections will firm up 
Indian control of the Muslim majority Himalayan state, and by Indian 
nationalists, fearful that separatist groups will gain control.
Anti-election protests erupted Wednesday at more than a dozen places in 
Srinagar as angry youths shouted pro-independence slogans and pelted 
paramilitary troops with rocks and bricks. Security forces responded 
with tear gas and batons.
Separatists had called for an election boycott and march to the historic 
city center, Lal Chowk, for a sit-in, but troops sealed off the main 
thoroughfares with coils of razor wire and pre-fabricated barricades.
Kashmir was placed under curfew-like restrictions Tuesday to help 
prevent protest marches.
Officials said voter turnout in the tense city was low. Srinagar has 
been the vanguard of the anti-voting campaign ever since the elections 
were announced by the Indian government in October.
Streets were mostly empty of citizens Wednesday morning, as thousands of 
Indian paramilitary units and police were spread among the eight 
constituencies eligible to cast ballots. More voters ventured out in the 
afternoon.
"I am voting for good governance and basic civic amenities lacking in 
this city," said Nazir Ahmed while leaving a polling station at Khanyar, 
in Srinagar's Old City.
In contrast, Ghulam Mohi-ud-Din told CNN, "We are not voting. Elections 
are no solution to this lingering Kashmir problem, which can only be 
resolved through negotiations."
Voting was more brisk in Indian-controlled, Hindu-majority Jammu, 
Kashmir's winter capital.
Referring to the tensions between India and Pakistan, Indian Prime 
Minister Manmohan Singh said Tuesday the issue is "dismantling of the 
terror machine by Pakistan and not war."
One of the most active militant groups in Kashmir has been 
Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Tayyaba (LeT).
India blames LeT for last month's brutal massacre of more than 160 
people in Mumbai, India, and has demanded that Pakistan hand over 
leaders of the group. LeT has denied responsibility.
Also Tuesday, Indian police said they arrested three Pakistani 
militants, one of whom they said is in the Pakistani army. Pakistan 
denied he is an active-duty soldier.
The three were arrested during a raid on a hotel in Jammu, where police 
claimed they were on a "Mumbai-style shooting and bombing mission."

Kashmir has been a point of contention between the two countries since 
the division of the subcontinent in 1947. The neighbors have fought two 
wars over the territory and narrowly avoided a third war in 1999.
Human rights groups and NGOs contest the official claim of at least 
43,000 dead in the separatist campaign, putting the number of dead at 
twice the official figure.





http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1868687,00.html

Big Turnout, Amid Protests, in Kashmir Vote
By Yusuf Jameel/Srinagar Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2008

An Indian paramilitary soldier stands guard as Kashmiri Muslims stand in 
a queue to cast their votes outside a polling station in Srinagar, the 
summer capital of Indian Kashmir, 24, December, 2008.
Farooq Khan / EPA
Election day in Srinagar, the summer capital of Indian-administered 
Kashmir, brought thousands of people onto the streets — but a majority 
of them appeared to be in uniform, armed with assault rifles and long 
bamboo sticks. enforcing strict security restrictions. Security was 
tight for the final phase of a staggered poll that will elect an 
87-member Jammu and Kashmir Assembly to a six-year term. The atmosphere 
on the streets, and inside the heavily-policed polling stations, was 
predictably tense, but unlike in previous elections, the main security 
threat this time came not from Pakistan-backed militants but from 
disgruntled locals who have taken to the streets this year to vent their 
anger against Indian rule. That anger translated into an election 
boycott that failed to keep 60% of voters away from the polls throughout 
the territory, although it did prompot a majority stay away in parts of 
Srinagar.
At one point on election day, crowds had gathered to chant "we want 
freedom", but they were driven off the streets of Srinagar by policemen 
wielding bamboo sticks and firing tear gas. Anti-India sentiment runs 
deep in Srinagar, where most people favor either independence or a 
merger with Pakistan. But outside the old town, a moderate polling was 
underway, as people lined up to vote, they said, for better roads and 
drinking-water supplies, an end to frequent power cuts and more job 
opportunities for the region's unemployed youth. (See images of 
Kashmir's previous election)
Voting in earlier stages of the election had been largely peaceful, with 
a higher-than-expected turnout of more than 60%, though scattered 
anti-India protests continued throughout the staggered election process. 
On November 17, more than half of over 600,000 eligible voters cast 
their ballot in the first phase of voting in the hilly districts of 
Bandipore, Leh, Kargil and Poonch, all of which border the Line of 
Control that separates the Indian- and Pakistani-administered sides of 
Kashmir.
Large numbers of voters in other regions appeared to follow suit in 
rejecting the boycott call. New Delhi takes pride in this "constructive" 
change in the mindset of Kashmir's Muslim majority. India's Foreign 
Minister Pranab Mukherjee said recently in Srinagar, "It has been quite 
encouraging that a large number of people has come out to vote... It is 
significantly higher [turnout] compared to the elections held in the 
past which is a very important development. It shows people's faith in 
India democracy."
The positive turnout is all the more remarkable in light of the turmoil 
of recent weeks, which began in June when furious Kashmiris took to the 
streets in furious protest against the local government's decision to 
transfer a piece of forestland to a Hindu consortium. The completion of 
the final round of elections has left the authorities feeling 
vindicated: "The people have, once again, shown their faith in 
democracy, despite many constraints, difficulties and threats," said 
Jammu and Kashmir governor N.N.Vohra. "Indian democracy has triumphed 
yet again."
Still, even if the boycott proved weak, separatist voices are unlikely 
to be silenced and may be fueled by the tough security measures adopt to 
squelch dissent. The Kashmir Valley's chief Muslim cleric and leader of 
separatist Hurriyat Conference alliance Mirwaiz Umar Farooq termed the 
elections a "farce", and alleged ballot stuffing and other 
irregularities by by "goons" working for the government and various 
pro-India political parties. "India which claims to be the world's 
largest democracy stands naked before the International community after 
what was done and seen happening today," Umar charged. "They can't 
impose curfew and then hold elections under the barrel of a gun."
The election to the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly may have been 
successfully completed, then, but the underlying conflict over the 
region's status that has simmered since 1948 clearly remains unresolved.






http://www.dawn.com/2008/12/24/rss.htm#e8

Police, protesters clash in final leg of Kashmir vote Wednesday, 24 Dec, 
SRINAGAR: Police fired tear gas and clashed with protesters Wednesday in 
Indian-administered Kashmir, where tens of thousands of soldiers were 
deployed for the seventh and final leg of multi-stage state elections. 
At least 20 people were injured in the violence between the security 
forces and anti-poll demonstrators in Srinagar, where voter turnout was 
low in line with a boycott call by separatist groups. Around 30,000 
troops were deployed on the streets of the city, which has long been the 
hub of a 20-year insurgency against Indian rule in the Muslim-majority 
region. Another 20,000 soldiers patrolled the districts of Jammu and 
Samba where balloting was also taking place. 'I fail to understand if 
the Indians are holding elections or going to war,' complained Srinagar 
resident Mohammed Hafiz, 60. (Posted @ 14:48 PST)






http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/Anti-poll_protests_in_Srinagar_turn_violent_9_injured/rssarticleshow/3870258.cms

Anti-poll protests in Srinagar turn violent; 9 injured
21 Dec 2008, 1742 hrs IST, PTI

SRINAGAR: At least nine persons including three policemen were injured 
when anti-poll protesters on Sunday attacked supporters of two candidates

in Srinagar and indulged in stone pelting at several places on 
penultimate day of campaigning for the final phase of J-K Assembly 
elections.

Shouting anti-election slogans, groups pelted stones on police and 
paramilitary forces at Jamia Masjid and adjoining areas including 
Nowhatta, Gojwara and Rajouri Kadal in downtown Srinagar, official 
sources said.

Police used batons to disperse the protestors and in the ensuing 
clashes, four persons including two policemen were injured, while shops 
and business establishments were closed and traffic came to a standstill.

Four persons including a policeman were injured when supporters of 
separatists' Co-ordination Committee which has called for a boycott of 
elections pelted stones on the cavalcade of an independent candidate in 
Habbakadal constituency.

A group of youth, shouting pro-freedom slogans, appeared at Asyed Ali 
Akbar and pelted stones on the cavalcade of independent candidate Bilal 
Ahmad Parra, a senior leader of People's Democratic Front, who was 
holding a roadshow, the sources said.

The youths were later chased by police and paramilitary personnel, the 
sources said.

A police guard also fire in air following a clash between supporters of 
national conference and its arch rival PDP at Khanyar locality of 
interior city, they said. No one was hurt in the shooting but one person 
was injured in the brick-batting between the two sides.






http://www.rediff.com/news/2008/dec/19jk-restrictions-in-kashmir-to-prevent-protests.htm

Restrictions in Kashmir to prevent protests

December 19, 2008 13:09 IST

Curfew-like situation prevailed in Kashmir Valley today, as authorities 
imposed stringent restrictions on the movement of people to prevent 
separatists from staging protest rallies during the day.
Thousands of security personnel have been deployed in Srinagar [Images] 
and other major towns of the Valley as the Separatist Coordination 
Committee (SSC) had called for protests after Friday prayers against the 
ongoing Assembly elections.
In wake of restrictions imposed by the administration and strike call by 
the separatists, all shops, business establishments, government offices, 
banks, courts, educational institutes and other semi-government 
institutions are closed, officials said.
Vehicles were also off the roads here and in other parts of the Valley, 
they said.
The SCC gave a strike call and peaceful protests against the polls after 
Friday prayers. "We appeal people to stage peaceful protests after 
prayers to protest against the polls
which are being held to hoodwink the international community about the 
Kashmir dispute," chairman of Hurriyat Conference Mirwaiz Umar Farooq said.
"We hope people of Srinagar will respect the sacrifices of martyrs," he 
said, claiming, "People should stay away from so-called elections which 
have no legitimacy in Kashmir."
Police and paramilitary personnel were seen patrolling the deserted 
streets in bid to foil attempts by separatists to stage protests.
Government employees and residents alleged that security personnel were 
not allowing them to come out of their houses as if curfew had been imposed.
"Police vehicles fitted with public address systems made a round of the 
city in the wee hours asking people not to venture out of their houses 
as curfew has been imposed," a resident claimed.
Police, however, denied any curfew, saying security forces have been 
given strict orders not to allow gathering of four or more people at any 
place as Section 144 of the CrPC was in force.
Officials said preventive measures were taken to maintain law and order 
and to prevent loss of any life or property which takes place during the 
protests.
There is no report of any untoward incident from anywhere in the Valley 
so far and the situation is under control, sources said.
While most of the separatists have been arrested since the announcement 
of election schedule for the state on October 19, chairmen of both 
factions of Hurriyat Conference, the Mirwaiz, and Syed Ali Shah Geelani 
had been placed under house arrest.






http://feeds.bignewsnetwork.com/?sid=444039

Restrictions imposed to prevent anti-poll protests in Srinagar
________________________________________

IANS Friday 19th December, 2008
The separatist joint co-ordination committee Friday called for anti-poll 
shutdown and protests, leading again to imposition of restrictions here, 
an official said.

The co-ordination committee of both the separatist Hurriyat groups 
headed by hardliners Syed Ali Geelani and Mirwaiz Umer Farooq asked 
people to observe a total shutdown and hold anti-poll protests in 
Srinagar city.

The voting for eight assembly constituencies in Srinagar is scheduled 
for Dec 24 in the seventh and final phase of the staggered elections in 
Jammu and Kashmir.

Markets, banks, traffic and other routine day to day activities remained 
suspended in the city as heavy deployment of the police and the Central 
Reserve Police Force (CRPF) was made by the authorities to prevent 
violence and clashes in the city Friday.

'The restrictions are purely preventive to ensure that miscreants do not 
create any law and order problem in the city.

'These restrictions are only for trouble mongers and not against 
peace-loving citizens. Strict orders have been issued to ensure that the 
people be facilitated for offering the Friday prayers throughout the 
city,' a senior police officer told IANS here.

It must be mentioned that the separatists are actually warming up their 
resistance programme to dissuade the voters in the eight seats of 
Srinagar city from exercising their franchise.






http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/uncategorized/polling-picks-up-in-jammu-clashes-in-kashmir-second-lead_100132008.html

Polling picks up in Jammu, clashes in Kashmir (Second Lead)
December 17th, 2008 - 4:50 pm ICT by IANS -
Srinagar/Jammu, Dec 17 (IANS) As the cloudy and bitterly cold weather 
improved by noon, more people queued up to vote in the sixth phase of 
the assembly polls in Jammu and Kashmir Wednesday. But while polling was 
peaceful in Jammu, clashes were reported in parts of the Kashmir 
Valley.Despite a heavy cloud cover, voters turned up in almost all the 
10 south Kashmir constituencies of Anantnag and Kulgam districts to 
elect representatives to the 87-member assembly.
In the Jammu region, where six seats in three districts went to the 
polls, around 40 percent voters had queued up to vote by noon. Former 
chief minister Ghulam Nabi Azad of the Congress is a heavyweight 
contestant Wednesday.
In Kashmir, Homeshalibugh constituency with 22.5 percent voting marked 
the lowest turnout while Dooru with 63.3 percent marked the highest in 
the first four hours after balloting began.
In Anantanag, 30 percent voting was recorded while during the 2002 
assembly polls only seven percent of voters had exercised their franchise.
Supporters of the National Conference and the Congress clashed in Dooru 
constituency from where former minister Ghulam Ahmad Mir of the Congress 
is seeking re-election.
Reports of clashes between supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party 
(PDP) and the Congress have also come in from Kokernag constituency 
where former Congress minister Peerzada Muhammad Sayeed is seeking 
re-election.
In Noorabad, former PDP minister Abdul Aziz Zargar, seeking re-election, 
faces a tough challenge from National Conference’s Sakina Itoo, who was 
a minister till the National Conference lost power in Jammu and Kashmir 
in 2002 elections.
In the Jammu region, with over 450,000 voters and 108 candidates for the 
six seats at stake in Ramban, Doda and Kishtwar districts, there was 
massive voter interest.
Former chief minister Azad was safely placed in Bhaderwah constituency 
although Mohammad Aslam Goni of the National Conference is expected to 
give a semblance of a contest. Mujib Ali of PDP does not have much of a 
following while the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) Daya Krishan Kotwal 
is expected to garner some Hindu votes.
Many in the constituency were angry that Azad was made to quit as chief 
minister following the Amarnath land row by the Kashmir-centric PDP.
Imtiyaz Khateeb, a college student, said he and his friends have 
“decided to vote for Azad”. “After casting our vote, we will get others 
to vote as early as possible,” he added.
National Conference supporters too were eager to vote early for Goni, 
whose family has strong roots in the town.
“Azad is good but we have to look at the larger picture. I don’t think 
the Congress will be able to form the government this time,” said Javed 
Iqbal, a long time National Conference supporter.
Deployment of election officials in remote and far flung mountainous 
polling stations in Doda, Kishtwar and Ramban districts had become a big 
challenge amid snowfall and rains since Tuesday afternoon.








http://www.thehindu.com/2008/12/05/stories/2008120551500300.htm

Other States - Jammu & Kashmir

Protests against assault on girl by security forces
Srinagar: The police on Thursday fired teargas shells and used batons to 
disperse people protesting against the alleged molestation of a girl by 
security personnel in Kokernag area of Anantnag district in Jammu and 
Kashmir, official sources said.
The trouble started around midnight on Wednesday night when the girl 
came out of her house at Danipora village of Kokernag and raised an 
alarm alleging that some security personnel forcibly intruded into her 
room and tried to outrage her modesty, the sources said.
Police assurance
Irked by the act of the security personnel, the residents took to 
streets demanding action against the culprits. They dispersed after 
senior police officers rushed to the scene and assured them that 
appropriate action would be taken against the guilty.
They said the protesters again took to streets on Thursday morning 
demanding that a case be registered against the security personnel.
Protest turns violent
The police and civil officers said the matter had been taken up with the 
concerned security forces unit but this time the protesters turned 
violent and resorted to stone-pelting, the sources said.
Police fired teargas shells to disperse the protesters, they said. 
Clashes were on till the last reports. --PTI






http://www.thehindu.com/2008/12/14/stories/2008121454541000.htm

Front Page

Protests, firing mar polling in Pulwama
Shujaat Bukhari
Youth dies as police and CRPF open fire; voting in fifth phase of J&K 
Assembly elections put at 57 per cent
Photos: — Nissar Ahmad and Akhilesh Kumar

Braving the cold: People wait outside a polling station in Pulwama on 
Saturday. (Below) A jawan stands guard at a booth in the Hiranagar 
constituency in Kathua district.
PULWAMA: Polling in the fifth phase of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly 
elections was marred by the killing of a youth in police firing as 
anti-poll protests rocked Quil and other areas in Pulwama district.
But all segments in Pulwama and Shopian districts witnessed moderate to 
brisk polling.
It was 48 per cent in two segments in Shopian and 47 per cent in four 
constituencies in Pulwama.
Kashmir Divisional Commissioner Masaud Samoon said 66 per cent turnout 
was recorded in Jammu’s Kathua district, where elections were held in 
five segments. The overall percentage in Saturday’s exercise was put at 57.
Braving the chill weather, a large number of people turned up at booths 
in the Wachi, Shopian, Pulwama, Rajpora, Tral and Pampore segments 
despite the boycott call given by separatists. But the situation took an 
ugly turn at Quil when police and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) 
personnel allegedly forced people to come out and vote, and ransacked 
their houses. This evoked resentment among the people, who gathered in 
large numbers and shouted anti-election slogans. The police and CRPF 
tried to disperse them but they were stoned. They later opened fire, in 
which at least four people were injured, of whom Muzaffar Ahmad, 21, 
died in hospital.
Following this incident, the Quil area with over 3,000 voters witnessed 
a complete boycott.
The people were angry as they restlessly waited for Muzaffar’s body to 
arrive from Srinagar. In the neighbouring villages, and also in Parigam 
and Karimabad, the election was boycotted.
However, later in the day, voters came out in good numbers at several 
places and the turnout picked up. Both Shopian and Pulwama districts are 
considered a stronghold of the People’s Democratic Party. Its president 
Mehbooba Mufti is contesting in Wachi.
But in some areas many booths wore a deserted look as the boycott call 
evoked near-total response.
Interestingly, the militancy-infested Tral town witnessed huge polling. 
Long queues were seen outside booths.
Roads sealed
Authorities had made elaborate arrangements to ensure smooth polling. 
All roads leading to Pulwama were sealed to thwart marches by 
separatists. Senior separatist leaders including Syed Ali Geelani and 
Mirwaiz Umar Farooq have been put under house arrest, and Srinagar and 
other towns are under an undeclared curfew. Both leaders condemned the 
police firing on protesters.
Mr. Samoon told journalists that a magisterial inquiry was ordered into 
the Quil incident. The Pulwama Deputy Commissioner was asked to give his 
report within 15 days.






http://www.thefrontierpost.com/News.aspx?ncat=ts&nid=3334&ad=14-12-2008

Protester killed in Held Kashmir voting SRINAGAR (AP): Voters cast their 
ballots in the fifth phase of state elections in Indian Kashmir on 
Saturday as scattered clashes between protesters and government forces 
left one person dead. A 20-year-old protester died after police opened 
fire to control a spiraling protest at Koil village, about 16 miles (25 
kilometers) south of Srinagar, Kashmir’s Police Chief B. Srinivas said. 
Two other protesters were wounded, he said. The elections for Kashmir’s 
state legislature started Nov. 17 and are to be held in seven phases 
through Dec. 24. Voting was largely peaceful in the first four phases, 
with a higher than expected turnout of more than 60 percent. Saturday’s 
was the first election-day death in clashes between protesters and 
police since the staggered voting began. Anti-India sentiment runs deep 
in Kashmir, where most people either favor independence or a merger with 
Pakistan. Kashmir is divided between the two rival countries and both 
claim it in its entirety. Militant 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. On 
Saturday, thousands of paramilitary soldiers and police officers wearing 
bulletproof jackets and carrying automatic weapons patrolled polling 
stations. Hundreds of protesters chanting pro-independence slogans 
clashed with forces in several areas, a police officer said on condition 
of anonymity in keeping with department policy. Police fired warning 
shots and tear gas to drive away protesters, and at least 17 
paramilitary soldiers and policemen were injured, the officer said. At 
Sambura and Karimabad villages, residents alleged that soldiers and 
police coerced them to vote. “They threatened us to vote, which we 
refused to do. As a revenge they came in and beat up our women to 
disgrace us,” said Tawheed Ahmed, a resident of Karimabad. Srinivas 
denied the allegations. Separatist leaders have called for a boycott of 
the elections, saying they will only entrench India’s hold on the 
restive region. However, early voter turnout was high, despite the 
security and the chilly weather. More than 800,000 of the state’s 6.5 
million eligible voters live in the 11 areas where voting was taking 
place Saturday.






http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/FullcoverageStoryPage.aspx?sectionName=NLetter&id=6be1249a-c784-4977-9588-427caf219ac3BattleforBallot_Special&Headline=One+dead%2c+six+injured+in+J%26amp%3bK+poll+clashes

One dead, six injured in J&K poll clashes

Press Trust Of India
Pulwama , December 13, 2008
First Published: 14:14 IST(13/12/2008)
Last Updated: 16:14 IST(13/12/2008)

One person was killed and six others, including three policemen, were on 
Saturday injured in clashes between anti-poll agitators and securitymen 
in Jammu and Kashmir, leading to temporary suspension of polling at 
three polling stations of the district.
Eleven constituencies spread over three districts in Jammu region and 
Kashmir valley went to polls on Saturday in the fifth phase of elections 
to the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly.
Three persons were injured in the clashes between securitymen and 
anti-poll agitators at Quil village as law enforcing agencies fired in 
air and lobbed teargas shells to disperse the violent protesters who 
were trying to march towards the Pulwama district headquarters to 
disrupt the polling, officials sources said.
They said one of the injured identified as Muzamil Ahmad Ganai succumbed 
at the SMHS hospital in Srinagar.
The anti-poll protesters took to streets and pelted stones at the 
security forces when they stopped them from marching towards Pulwama, 
the sources said.
The polling was temporarily suspended in the polling station, the 
sources said, adding that a photo journalist of AFP, Rauf Bhat, was hit 
by a stone while covering the incident.
Three policemen were injured in the clash that took place outside a 
polling booth at Karimabad between the anti-poll agitators and the 
securitymen, the sources said.
Polling was temporaily suspended at the polling station due to the clash.






http://www.voanews.com/english/archive/2008-12/2008-12-13-voa12.cfm?CFID=163395337&CFTOKEN=64064222&jsessionid=663014ce9eb5aa7ff56f134a51b7246654f2

Protester Killed During Voting in Indian Kashmir
By Shahnawaz Khan
Srinagar, Indian-administered Kashmir
13 December 2008

Indian policemen charge Kashmiri Muslim protesters with their batons 
during an anti-election protest in Koil, south of Srinagar, 13 Dec 2008
One person has died and several were injured as police clashed with 
protesters in Indian administered Kashmir during the fifth phase of 
seven-phased elections on Saturday.

Violence broke out early in the fifth phase of elections in 
Indian-administered Kashmir. Hundreds of anti-election protesters took 
to streets in Koil village of Pulwama district in Southern Kashmir and 
staged demonstrations. The demonstrators met resistance from the police.

Police also chased away demonstrators at several other places in the 
district.

Ishtiyaq Ahmad Ashai is the top civilian official in Pulwama district. 
"At Karimabad and Paigaon we had some minor incidents which have been 
brought under control, however some of our police personnel got 
injured," he said. "However at Koil, fire had to open [there was firing] 
which has resulted in injuries to three persons, who have been shifted 
to hospital."

Early in the morning an undeclared curfew was in efffect in Srinagar and 
major towns to prevent separatist marches. Eleven constituencies spread 
over three districts in Kashmir went to the polls Saturday.

Kashmiri separatists have called for a voting boycott, citing the fact 
that India uses elections to justify its control over the region. Most 
of the separatists have been either detained or put under house arrest 
in the last two months to prevent the poll boycott campaign. Some of 
them have been booked under the infamous Public Safety Act that allows 
detention without a trial for up to two years. Undeclared curfews and 
restrictions have prevented Friday prayers in Kashmir's largest mosque 
for the last six weeks.

Despite the boycott call an unprecedented number of people have cast 
their votes in the first four phases of voting.

The heavy turn out in Kashmir, where anti-India sentiment runs deep, has 
surprised many Kashmiri analysts. Weeks before the polls began, Kashmir 
had seen some of the largest pro-freedom demonstrations in decades.

The seven phased staggered voting process in Kashmir began on November 
17 and will conclude on December 24.

The staggered process allows authorities to move and deploy thousands of 
troops in each area to prevent violence and poll disruptions.






http://www.chinapost.com.tw/asia/india/2008/12/14/187626/Protester-killed.htm

Updated Sunday, December 14, 2008 10:26 am TWN, By Aijaz Hussain, AP
Protester killed in clash during Indian Kashmir polls
SRINAGAR, India -- Voters cast their ballots in the fifth phase of state 
elections in Indian Kashmir on Saturday as scattered clashes between 
protesters and government forces left one person dead.
A 20-year-old protester died after police opened fire to control a 
spiraling protest at Koil village, about 16 miles (25 kilometers) south 
of Srinagar, Kashmir’s Police Chief B. Srinivas said.
Two other protesters were wounded, he said.
The elections for Kashmir’s state legislature started Nov. 17 and are to 
be held in seven phases through Dec. 24.
Voting was largely peaceful in the first four phases, with a higher than 
expected turnout of more than 60 percent. Saturday’s was the first 
election-day death in clashes between protesters and police since the 
staggered voting began.
Anti-India sentiment runs deep in Kashmir, where most people either 
favor independence or a merger with Pakistan. Kashmir is divided between 
the two rival countries and both claim it in its entirety.
Militant 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.
On Saturday, thousands of paramilitary soldiers and police officers 
wearing bulletproof jackets and carrying automatic weapons patrolled 
polling stations.
Hundreds of protesters chanting pro-independence slogans clashed with 
forces in several areas, a police officer said on condition of anonymity 
in keeping with department policy.
Police fired warning shots and tear gas to drive away protesters, and at 
least 17 paramilitary soldiers and policemen were injured, the officer said.
At Sambura and Karimabad villages, residents alleged that soldiers and 
police coerced them to vote.
“They threatened us to vote, which we refused to do. As a revenge they 
came in and beat up our women to disgrace us,” said Tawheed Ahmed, a 
resident of Karimabad.
Srinivas denied the allegations.
Muslim separatist leaders have called for a boycott of the elections, 
saying they will only entrench India’s hold on the restive region.
However, early voter turnout was high, despite the security and the 
chilly weather.
More than 800,000 of the state’s 6.5 million eligible voters live in the 
11 areas where voting was taking place Saturday.





http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/india-news/one-killed-in-anti-election-protest-in-srinagar_100130678.html

One killed in anti-election protest in Srinagar
December 13th, 2008 - 11:17 pm ICT by ANI -
Srinagar, Dec. 13 (ANI): A protestor was killed and six, including three 
policemen, were injured in clashes between the anti- election protestors 
and the security personnel during the fifth phase of the seven phased 
state assembly polls Kashmir here on Saturday.
According to sources, a 20-year youth succumbed to his wounds in Quil 
Pulwama village, some 40 kilometers from here.
Police opened fire in the air to disperse the demonstrators who 
reportedly pelted them with stones.
The demonstrators said they were holding peaceful protest march.
An eyewitness, Inayat Ahmad said, “We carried a peaceful anti-election 
protest march. Security Forces opened fire on us, in which five youth. 
one has died and some are admitted in Pulwama hospital.”
Security forces had to fire and lob teargas shells to disperse the 
violent protesters who were trying to march towards the Pulwama District 
headquarters to disrupt polling.
Polling for 11 constituencies spread over three districts in Jammu 
region and Kashmir valley was held for the 87-member assembly.
The seven-phased poling in Jammu and Kashmir is to replace central rule 
imposed after the Congress party-led coalition government fell in July 
over a Hindu shrine land transfer row. The results will be declared on 
December 28.(ANI)





http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/20_injured_as_poll_protesters_clash_with_police_in_JK/rssarticleshow/3805219.cms

20 injured as poll protesters clash with police in J&K
7 Dec 2008, 1924 hrs IST, PTI
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SRINAGAR: At least 20 people, including 11 securitymen, were injured as 
police lobbed teargas shells and used batons to disperse a stone-pelting 
group of poll boycotters, during the fourth phase of elections on Sunday.

The clashes erupted in Jamia Masjid and adjoining areas of interior city 
shortly after authorities relaxed restrictions on the movement of people 
in view of the forth coming Eid, official sources said.

Shouting anti-election and pro-freedom slogans, groups of youth took to 
streets at Nowhatta, Bohri kadal, Zaina Kadal and Gojwara, and hurled 
stones at police and CRPF personnel, injuring 11 securitymen.

To disperse the mob, police and CRPF personnel lobbed teargas shells and 
used batons. At least nine protesters were injured in the police action.

A police spokesman said activists of Shaheed-e-Milat youth front, the 
youth wing of Mirwaiz Umer Farooq-led Awami Action Committee, were 
involved in the attack.

As many as 15 vehicles, including two of the government, and eight shops 
were damaged in stone-pelting, the spokesman added.






http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,24765708-12335,00.html

Riots mar elections in India
 From correspondents in Sopore | December 07, 2008
Article from: Agence France-Presse
POLICE used tear gas, batons and rubber bullets to disperse hundreds of 
anti-election demonstrators in Indian Kashmir during the fourth phase of 
state elections.
The police action left 10 people injured in Sopore town, 50km north of 
the summer capital Srinagar, after hundreds of residents gathered to 
protest against the vote today.
Four photo-journalists were hurt in the violence.
"We were ruthlessly beaten up by the policemen for no reason,'' said one 
photographer who was admitted to hospital with a head injury.
Four more people were injured when police fired rubber bullets to 
disperse a similar protest in the neighbouring village of Dooru, police 
said.
Separatist politicians and rebels have called for a boycott of the 
polls, arguing elections strengthen New Delhi's hold over the region. 
However, the first three rounds of voting saw more than 60 per cent 
turnout.
Indian Kashmir was put under federal rule in July following the collapse 
of the state government over a land dispute that triggered a series of 
major anti-India demonstrations.





http://www.news.com.au/story/0,10117,24765769-401,00.html?from=public_rss

Violent riots mar elections in India
 From correspondents in Sopore
Agence France-Presse
December 07, 2008 12:35am

POLICE used tear gas, batons and rubber bullets to disperse hundreds of 
anti-election demonstrators in Indian Kashmir during the fourth phase of 
state elections.
The police action left 10 people injured in Sopore town, 50km north of 
the summer capital Srinagar, after hundreds of residents gathered to 
protest against the vote today.

Four photo-journalists were hurt in the violence.

"We were ruthlessly beaten up by the policemen for no reason,'' said one 
photographer who was admitted to hospital with a head injury.

Four more people were injured when police fired rubber bullets to 
disperse a similar protest in the neighbouring village of Dooru, police 
said.

Separatist politicians and rebels have called for a boycott of the 
polls, arguing elections strengthen New Delhi's hold over the region. 
However, the first three rounds of voting saw more than 60 per cent 
turnout.

Indian Kashmir was put under federal rule in July following the collapse 
of the state government over a land dispute that triggered a series of 
major anti-India demonstrations.






http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/uncategorized/voting-picks-up-slowly-amid-sporadic-protests-in-valley_100128056.html

Voting picks up slowly amid sporadic protests in Valley
December 7th, 2008 - 1:49 pm ICT by IANS -
Baramulla (North Kashmir) Dec 7 (IANS) Moderate to brisk polling was 
underway in 12 constituencies of the Kashmir Valley which went to polls 
Sunday in the fourth of the seven-phase elections in Jammu and Kashmir. 
Polling began Sunday in six constituencies of the Hindu-dominated Jammu 
region also.
Brisk voting was on in Uri, which registered 12 percent turnout in the 
first two hours of polling which began 8 a.m., followed by Gulmarg 
(seven), Pattan (4.5) and Rafiabad (four) constituencies of this north 
Kashmir district.
Polling is yet to pick up in the apple-rich Sopore, Sangrama and 
Baramulla constituencies in the same district. In Sopore, the hometown 
of separatist leader Syed Ali Geelani, the turnout was four percent till 
10 a.m. and no untoward incident was reported.
Sangrama reported 13 percent polling and Baramulla the lowest of 1.5. 
Officials said the polling in the north Kashmir region should be seen in 
the context of freezing temperatures and boycott calls by militants.
Reports from the central Badgam district indicate brisk polling at 
Khansahib (13 percent), Chadura (five), Beerwah (three), Badgam (6.9) 
and Charar-e-Sharief constituencies (2.3) there.
Long queues of voters were seen at many polling stations in Gulmarg 
constituency of Baramulla district where voters turned up right in the 
morning to exercise their franchise.
Voters also queued up in Singhpora and Hanjiwara villages, while voting 
was yet to pick up in Palhalan and Pattan towns of the Pattan 
constituency of Baramulla.
However, in the Shia Muslim majority villages of Pattan constituency, 
brisk polling was on.
Small anti-poll demonstrations took place at a few places in Sopore but 
the police and paramilitary forces chased the protesters away.
In Delina town of Baramulla constituency, an anti-poll protest was held 
by some local youth outside a polling station.
“The miscreants have been chased away and brisk polling is now going on 
at the polling station in Delina”, a police officer said.
In Chadura constituency of central Badgam district, a large number of 
people gathered to vote in Lasjan, Gowharpora and other polling 
stations. There was similar voter enthusiasm in Kramshore village of 
Khansahib constituency.
In Beerwah, Badgam and Charar-e-Sharief constituencies also, voting was 
picking up. “Polling is taking place normally without any major 
incident. We expect more voters to come out by midday”, a poll official 
told IANS.





http://www.tribuneindia.com/2008/20081124/main1.htm

Shutdown in Srinagar; clashes in Baramulla
Kumar Rakesh/Shariq Majeed
Tribune News Service
Grenade attacks on candidates’ houses
Some militant hurled a grenade towards the house of Abdul Rashid Ganai, 
Panthers Party candidate for the Kangan constituency, at Arhama, the 
police said. In another incident, militants hurled a grenade and fired 
towards the residence of Mohammad Abdullah Dar, candidate of the 
Democratic Nationalist Party in Sopore. The grenade exploded in the 
premises of the house but no harm was caused.
Srinagar/Rajouri, November 23
Srinagar observed a complete shutdown today as its neighbouring 
Ganderbal district went for polls while Baramulla in south Kashmir, 
where two youths were killed in firing yesterday, saw day-long clashes 
between protestors and security personnel.
Large number of protesters collected in Khanpora in old Baramulla town, 
which has traditionally been more restive, and they tried to march 
through the area. They raised pro-freedom slogans and lashed out at 
authorities for the death of two youths yesterday.
Locals said security forces in the old town prevented crowd from 
marching and lathicharged and fired tear gas shells. Though there was no 
official count of injuries, locals said over 30 locals were injured in 
clashes. Official sources said at least 10 of their men were also injured.
The summer capital of the state remained shut throughout the day as 
security personnel threw a cordon around city to ensure that there is no 
unwanted movement of people to adjacent Ganderbal. Separatists’ call for 
Ganderbal march was foiled today.
Meanwhile, supporters of political parties and independent candidates 
clashed in three assembly segments in Rajouri district, which went for 
polls today.
In Darhal constituency, NC supporters of party candidate Choudhary 
Liaqat allegedly hurled stones at the polling station in the Badi Darhal 
area, prompting the BSF personnel manning it open fire in air to control 
the situation. Five persons were injured in the incident, reports said. 
In Kalakote assembly segment, there were reports of violent clashes 
between supporters of NC candidate Rashpal Singh and independent 
candidate Ashok Sharma. At Brow polling station in Kalakote, four 
persons were reportedly injured in clashes between supporters of the NC 
and independent candidate. At Taryath polling station also, security 
forces had to fire in air to control the supporters of the same candidates.
There were reports of clashes between supporters of Singh and Sharma at 
Bandi polling station. At a polling station in Jawahar Nagar area of 
Rajouri constituency, supporters of independent candidate Muhammad 
Sharief Tariq and BJP candidate Vibodh Gupta resorted to stone pelting 
disrupting polling for about an hour.