Police detain hundreds in Indian Kashmir before vote

Police in Indian Kashmir have detained more than 500 residents as well as separatist leaders before the latest round of voting in the restive region, officers and separatists said Tuesday. Police said the crackdown took place in Kashmir's main city of Srinagar and throughout the constituency that votes on Wednesday as part of the country's continuing staggered six-week general election. "To ensure peaceful and violence-free polling in Central Kashmir, police has been taking preventive measures and arrested around 400 stone pelters and trouble mongers," a police statement said. "Nobody will be allowed to disrupt the electoral process. The arrests have been made and will continue to be effected to instill confidence among the voters." In addition, police targeted some 130 residents whom they suspect would lead protests on Wednesday against the polls, arresting them in raids on their homes, a senior officer told AFP on condition of anonymity, according to AFP.