AFP reports:

Indian police and paramilitary forces locked down Kashmir’s summer capital to prevent anti-election demonstrations after protests flared overnight.

Troops patrolled the deserted streets of Srinagar, the urban hub of a nearly two-decade-old revolt against New Delhi’s rule of the Muslim-majority state.

“We’ve imposed restrictions on civilian movement to maintain law and order,” police officer Pervez Ahmed said as policemen raised barricades and stopped residents leaving their homes.

Some background information:

Separatists oppose elections in Kashmir, arguing that voting legitimises Delhi’s rule of the disputed territory, which is held in part by India and Pakistan but claimed in full by both.

The boycott call has been backed by a stark warning from the most powerful militant group active in Indian Kashmir, Hizbul Mujahedeen which has said anyone who casts a ballot will be considered a “traitor”.

Kashmir is a highly problematic district. Both Pakistan and India claim it as theirs. There are a lot of Muslims in this region, who refuse to accept New Delhi’s authority.

Let us hope things do not run out of hand there. The region is instable enough as it is.