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KASHMIR: TROOPS FORCE KASHMIRIS TO VOTE IN STATE ELECTIONS

(23 May 1996) Kashmiri/English Armed Indian troops have been forcing Kashmiris to vote in the state's first elections in seven years, Thursday. Combating a boycott called by separatist leaders, soldiers escorted Kashmiris to polling booths. It's an election Kashmiris don't want. In Sopore, near the capital Srinagar, hundreds of people protested in the streets. They shouted independence slogans, defying orders to vote. But Indian army troops, determined to defy the boycott by separatist leaders wanting a breakaway state, herded Kashmiris to the polls. These are the first elections in the predominantly Muslim state of Jammu-Kashmir since a campaign for independence from Hindu-dominated India turned violent in 1989. Fifty thousand extra paramilitary forces moved into position to protect polling stations. There was high security as every person was frisked before being allowed to vote. Few people claim to be voting voluntarily. Most say they don't know who the candidates are and are deliberately spoiling ballot forms. VOXPOP: They beat us, the army has come here and they force us to go and cast our vote, but we will not vote, they are threatening us. VOXPOP: All morning, the security forces have been parading around. People are very scared that they will be forced to cast their votes. But Indian authorities say they are committed to a fair election. SOUNDBITE: There are some reports from some areas. We are looking into them and are advising people to hold a completely free and fair election. We are committed to holding a free and fair election. SUPER CAPTION: A.K. Mehta, Returning Officer Despite the large army presence, nerves are jittery. A grenade explodes. No one is injured, but it could easily have killed. Since 1989, when the independence campaign turned violent, 13 thousand people have been killed. India is portraying the election as evidence that Kashmiris are weary of war and that the insurrection is waning. Officials have said that even a voter turnout of 20 per cent will be enough to show the region has become less violent. 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...