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INDIA: KASHMIR: ELECTIONS MARRED BY VIOLENT CLASHES

(28 Feb 1998) English/Nat Violent clashes and general strikes in Kashmir have marred the third day of voting in India's parliamentary elections. Paramilitary troopers fired tear gas into a crowd of stone throwing protesters, angry at voters who have ignored a boycott on voting. Separatists who want India's only predominently Muslim state to become independent or join Pakistan called for the poll boycott and have been trying to enforce a two day general strike since Friday. This has become a familiar sight during India's parliamentary elections. The latest violence flared in the Kashmiri town of Srinagar on Saturday. This group of separatists are angry at those ignoring a boycott of the election. The separatist group also called a general strike, which began on Friday. But officials were expecting violent clashes and deployed thousands of paramilitaries onto the streets. For years, Kashmir has been a political hotspot. Muslim militants claim it is their right to decide whether Kashmir - India's only region with a Hindu minority - should be ruled by Pakistan or India - or become independent. For some, the election is an occasion to voice their passionate views on the issue. SOUNDBITE: (English) "Going to pro-India! Go back! I hate India, I hate India." SUPER CAPTION: Vox Pop These people say they won't vote this year because in the 1996 elections Indian troops stationed here forced them to cast a ballot. Shops have been closed and most people are staying inside - some saying they are observing the boycott - others say it is just too cold. Young boys play in streets that have become mini-battlefields. In the meantime - the soldiers gaze over the empty streets - ready to break up any more spontaneous demonstrations. At the polling stations the mood is quieter - for some too quiet. This polling booth opened three hours ago - and still not one person has come to cast a vote. SOUNDBITE: (English) Q: "How many voters have you had today so far?" "No voter as yet. No voter as yet has turned up till this time." SUPER CAPTION: Election official It's the boycott and also the violence that has kept electors away... many fear they will be attacked by militants if they vote, so most are staying at home. SOUNDBITE : (English) "Nobody wants to vote for the cost of his life. Nobody wants to be annihilated himself, for nothing." SUPER CAPTION: Vox Pop But in another area of Srinigar a steady stream of voters have turned out. At this polling station most of these men and women are voting for one candidate - a shiite politican who has become popular with the locals. But security is slack here and this woman has managed to dupe officials and vote twice. Electors here say they are happy that this year they have the choice to vote. SOUNDBITE: (English) "This time I'm voting freely because the candidate is very honest and I like him and I want him to be a member of parliament - of my choice." SUPER CAPTION: Kashmiri voter One hundred and forty (m) million people are registered to vote in Saturday's election - just over half of them are expected to actually do so. The elections in India have been staggered over several weeks to allow maximum security to be deployed to all regions where religious, ethnic and cast differences were thought likely to cause tension. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter:   / ap_archive   Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​ Instagram:   / apnews   You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...