SRINAGAR, Sept 20: Police fired teargas and clashed with anti-Indian protesters in occupied Kashmir on and detained a prominent leader on Friday.

Dozens of people chanting “We want freedom!” and anti-election slogans marched from the Jamia Masjid after Friday prayers.

Police fired teargas to disperse the rally after it marched about 500 metres towards a main road. Both sides then pelted stones at each other before police fired more volleys of teargas to break up the demonstration.

Several people were taken away by police, witnesses said, but there were no early reports of injuries. Srinagar is among the three districts due to vote in Tuesday’s second round.

Earlier, police detained Javid Mir, vice chairman of the Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front, as he headed for a rally to oppose elections in the held state. The All Parties Hurriyat Conference, which includes Mir’s party, is not running in the election and has urged a boycott. The Hurriyat wants Kashmiris to be given a vote to decide their own future.

Some Kashmiris accuse the Indian army of forcing people out to vote on Monday to inflate the turnout.

Mujahideen have vowed to derail the poll, almost certain to be won by the ruling National Conference party, which is also part of the coalition government in Delhi.—Reuters