In Indian-controlled Kashmir, thousands of voters went to the polls on Tuesday in the first municipal elections in 27 years. The voters turned out in large numbers in several areas in spite of threats of attacks by rebel groups, and calls for a boycott of the vote by separatist politicians.
Although no attacks were reported, there was sporadic violence. In Srinagar, anti-election demonstrators burned tires and pelted riot police with stones. The poll to chose town councils in Indian Kashmir is being held in four phases. It began on January 29 and the last stage will be held on February 10.
Suspected separatists killed three candidates during the election campaign.
More than 440,000 people were eligible to vote in the ballor, which is for municipal agencies in Jammu-Kashmir state's two main cities, Srinigar and Jammu.
The turnout was about 17.5 percent in Srinagar, an election official said on condition of anonymity. In Jammu, the turnout was 75 percent, elections officials said.
