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Kashmir violence: Eight killed in clashes during by-election | |
(about 5 hours later) | |
Eight people have been killed and scores injured after police clashed with protesters during a by-election in Indian-administered Kashmir. | |
Paramilitary forces fired bullets and shotgun pellets as people protesting against Indian rule stormed polling stations near Srinagar on Sunday. | |
Separatist leaders had called for a boycott of the vote. | Separatist leaders had called for a boycott of the vote. |
Muslim-majority Kashmir is at the centre of a decades-old territorial dispute between India and Pakistan. | Muslim-majority Kashmir is at the centre of a decades-old territorial dispute between India and Pakistan. |
India accuses Pakistan of supporting separatist sentiment in Kashmir, but Islamabad denies this. Both countries claim Kashmir in its entirety and control different parts of it. | |
The region has seen heightened tension and increased unrest since July last year when influential militant Burhan Wani was killed by Indian forces. | The region has seen heightened tension and increased unrest since July last year when influential militant Burhan Wani was killed by Indian forces. |
Reports said the voter turnout in Sunday's election was a mere 7% - the lowest in three decades. | |
Two schools were set on fire by unknown protesters, The Times of India reported. | |
Security was tightened on Monday across the region - roads were blocked with barricades and some train services were also suspended. | |
Why were they protesting? | Why were they protesting? |
Rebel groups in Indian-administered Kashmir have for decades called for either independence or a union with Pakistan. | Rebel groups in Indian-administered Kashmir have for decades called for either independence or a union with Pakistan. |
These groups have rejected local elections and urged voters to boycott Sunday's poll, which took place after a politician resigned over what he described as the "anti-people" agenda of the Indian government. | These groups have rejected local elections and urged voters to boycott Sunday's poll, which took place after a politician resigned over what he described as the "anti-people" agenda of the Indian government. |
The Indian government deployed tight security ahead of the polling, with 20,000 additional troops sent to the area. | The Indian government deployed tight security ahead of the polling, with 20,000 additional troops sent to the area. |
Internet services were also shut down in an attempt to hold a peaceful poll. | Internet services were also shut down in an attempt to hold a peaceful poll. |
How did the violence escalate? | How did the violence escalate? |
On Sunday thousands of protesters charged into polling stations in the Budgam district. | On Sunday thousands of protesters charged into polling stations in the Budgam district. |
The state's chief electoral officer Shantmanu told AFP news agency that protesters damaged and snatched voting machines. | The state's chief electoral officer Shantmanu told AFP news agency that protesters damaged and snatched voting machines. |
Clashes erupted when police and troops moved in and used tear gas - and later opened fire - on protesters, who fought back by pelting stones. | Clashes erupted when police and troops moved in and used tear gas - and later opened fire - on protesters, who fought back by pelting stones. |
Mr Shantmanu told reporters later that there were more than 200 incidents of violence including petrol bomb attacks and a polling station set on fire. | Mr Shantmanu told reporters later that there were more than 200 incidents of violence including petrol bomb attacks and a polling station set on fire. |
What happened to the by-election? | What happened to the by-election? |
Polling had to be suspended in some places, while voters generally stayed away. | |
Another by-election, to fill a separate parliamentary seat, is set to take place in the Anantnag district on 12 April. The results of both polls are expected on 15 April. | Another by-election, to fill a separate parliamentary seat, is set to take place in the Anantnag district on 12 April. The results of both polls are expected on 15 April. |
Farooq Abdullah, a former chief minister for Indian-administered Kashmir and a candidate for the by-election, has condemned the violence. | Farooq Abdullah, a former chief minister for Indian-administered Kashmir and a candidate for the by-election, has condemned the violence. |
He told reporters: "Elections should have been peaceful. This government has failed in giving a peaceful atmosphere for people to come and vote." | He told reporters: "Elections should have been peaceful. This government has failed in giving a peaceful atmosphere for people to come and vote." |