September 09, 2008	Tuesday	Ramazan 8, 1429

SRINAGAR, Sept 8: A one-day strike called by Kashmiri freedom-seekers to denounce planned elections closed shops, schools and businesses across occupied Kashmir on Monday and sparked fresh clashes that hurt 60 people.

Government offices were also closed and public and private vehicles stayed off the road in the latest in a string of shutdowns and demonstrations called by Kashmiri leaders in the Muslim-majority territory.

Kashmiri people oppose Indian-held elections, arguing they strengthen New Delhi’s hold over the region.

They have boycotted all elections held in the state since 1989, when a rebellion broke out against India’s rule.

“The strike is to denounce the holding of a meeting by India’s Election Commission in New Delhi,” strike organisers said in a statement.

The commission met on Monday to assess when the elections could be held in Kashmir.

The revolt-hit Kashmir has been ruled directly by New Delhi since July 10 when the local government collapsed over a Hindu land row that triggered large pro-independence demonstrations.

Elections are due before January 10.

Some 34 people were hurt on Monday in clashes in Srinagar between police and protesters opposing the elections and protesting against Saturday’s killing of a man by police, doctors and police said.

Ten of the injured were policemen.

In Baramulla town, 20 civilians and six policemen were injured in day-long clashes, police said, adding they used teargas and fired shots in the air to disperse hundreds of young Kashmiris chanting “no elections, we want freedom.” The man was killed on

Saturday when police fired rubber bullets and teargas to disperse stone-throwing anti-India demonstrators.

An APHC leader, Syed Ali Geelani, warned India against holding the state elections.

“It will add fuel to the fire,” Geelani said in a statement. “We want nothing short of freedom.” Since June at least 40 Kashmiri Muslims and three Hindus have died in police shootings in the Kashmir Valley as authorities struggled to quell the protests.

During the last state-wide elections in 2002, nearly 850 people were killed.

Many victims were party workers and around 50 were politicians.

Meanwhile, Indian troops on Monday shot dead three Muslim militants in Kupwara, a police statement said.—AFP