[ad_1]
SRINAGAR, India (AP) – The first phase of the local council elections began Monday in Indian-controlled Kashmir, in a context of heightened security and a separatist-controlled closure.
The authorities have deployed tens of thousands of additional troops in the region, which is already heavily militarized for elections, which is being held in four phases.
Voter turnout was low on Monday morning in the predominantly Muslim areas of the Kashmir Valley. Police and armed soldiers monitored more than 800 polling stations in the disputed part of the Indians-controlled area, while government forces laid wire and erected steel barricades on the roads.
A curfew was in effect in parts of the city of Srinagar to prevent anti-Indian protests. Stores, businesses and most schools were shut down as part of a strike unleashed by separatist leaders.
Most read stories of the country and the world
India said polls were an essential exercise to boost development and solve civic problems. Separatist political leaders and armed rebel groups who challenge India's sovereignty over Kashmir have called for a boycott, saying the polls are an illegitimate exercise under military occupation.
Nearly 1.7 million inhabitants are registered on the electoral lists. The village council elections will be held separately in November.
According to officials, 244 candidates have already been selected without opposition and there are no candidates for more than 170 out of a total of 1,145 seats on the board.
The main pro-Indian political parties in Kashmir, such as the National Conference and the People's Democratic Party, are boycotting the elections, accusing New Delhi of playing with the special status of Kashmir in the Indian constitution. Despite the boycott, suspected rebels shot dead two National Conference activists and injured another Friday.
Some people withdrew from the elections after armed rebels threatened candidates and accused them of being "traitors and sellers of the blood of martyrs".
Authorities deployed more than 40,000 additional troops to protect the vote.
Kashmir is divided between India and Pakistan and the two countries claim it in its entirety. Rebel groups demand that Kashmir be united under the Pakistani regime or as an independent country.
The anti-Indian sentiment is deeply rooted in the Muslim majority population of Kashmir and most people support the rebels' cause against Indian rule.
Nearly 70,000 people were killed during the uprising and repression induced by the Indian army.
