India-controlled Kashmir will be among the first group of Indian states and territories to vote Thursday in the first phase of the month-long Indian general elections. Heavy security has been provided to ensure the elections here in the wake of recent fightings between Indian troops and militants in the region, said an Indian police official.
The polling staff and electronic voting machines are being dispatched to the polling stations in the city and adjoining villages. The Indian Home Ministry earlier said that militants will try to disrupt polls in the region, while some Muslim separatists here have urged an election boycott in the region.
In December 2008, regional elections in the region recorded a 60 percent turnout despite a boycott call from the separatists.
Last week a leading separatist Muslim leader Sajjad Lone announced his decision to contest the Indian general elections from the region. At least 30 militants and 10 Indian soldiers have been killed in fightings in India-controlled Kashmir since last month.
