In occupied Kashmir, protest demonstrations were held in Maisuma and other areas of Srinagar, today against the holding of sham elections in the territory.

The youth raising anti-election slogans came out to the streets and clashed with the personnel of Indian police and paramilitary forces. The police resorted to shelling on the protesting youth resulting in injuries to many. Clashes also broke out in Kadipora area of Islamabad district after a presiding officer was injured in an attack on a police vehicle carrying polling staff.

Meanwhile, scenes of fist-fighting and free exchange of blows were witnessed among workers of pro-India National Conference, Peoples Democratic Party and Lok Jan Shakti Party in Natipora, Kralkhud and other areas of Srinagar over allegations of rigging.On the other hand, the Hindu extremist, Bharatiya Janata Party had to face a major embarrassment when one of its candidates slapped a Polling Officer in Srinagar during polling for the so-called assembly elections.

The family of Aasiya and Neelofar, who were molested and then murdered by men in uniform in 2009 staged a peaceful sit-in at Gol Chowk in Shopian.

The Hurriyet Conference Jammu and Kashmir in a statement in Srinagar expressed serious concern over the deteriorating health of illegally detained Hurriyet leader, Muhammad Yousuf Naqash. The detained leader was admitted to a hospital in Srinagar, today.

The APHC-AJK chapter held a protest demonstration outside Press Club in Islamabad against the ongoing election drama in occupied Kashmir. The protest was led by the APHC-AJK Convener, Syed Yousuf Naseem.

The speakers at a seminar in Islamabad said that the so-called elections being staged by India in the occupied territory had no legal status and could not be substitute to right to self-determination. The seminar was jointly organized by the AJK chapters of the forum led by the veteran Hurriyet leader, Syed Ali Gilani and Hurriyet Conference Jammu and Kashmir.