Slog
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Kashmiri Muslim separatist leaders who challenge Hindu-majority India’s sovereignty over the disputed region urged a boycott of the vote, calling it an illegitimate exercise under military occupation. Most polling stations in Srinagar appeared deserted, with more police, paramilitary soldiers and election staff than voters. Srinagar was one of 95 constituencies which voted Thursday.
A majority of residents heeded the separatists’ call for a boycott, with only about 8% voter turnout in Srinagar, the urban heart of the anti-India revolt.
Anti-India protests and clashes erupted at several places during the voting, officials said. At least four people were injured when government forces fired bullets, shotguns and tear gas to quell protests by stone-throwing residents.
“This is not our vote. Our vote will be on the day we’re allowed to exercise a plebiscite” on Kashmir’s status, said Intizar Ahmed, a young trader in Srinagar. Another resident, Abdul Hamid, said he only voted in the hope that a Kashmiri representative in India’s Parliament will seek a resolution of the disputed region’s status.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/worl...ory.html?noredirect=on&utm_term=.b90ed24ceacb