Kashmir violence: Six killed in clashes during by-election

Six people are dead and scores injured after police clashed with protesters during a by-election in Indian-administered Kashmir.

Paramilitary forces fired bullets and shotgun pellets as 
people protesting against Indian rule stormed polling stations near Srinagar.

Separatist leaders had called for a boycott of the vote.

Muslim-majority Kashmir is at the centre of a decades-
old territorial dispute between India and Pakistan.

Both countries claim Kashmir in its entirety and control different parts of it.

Why were they protesting?

Rebel groups in Indian-administered Kashmir have for decades called for either independence or a union with Pakistan.

These groups have rejected local elections and urged
 voters to boycott Sunday's poll, which took place after a politician resigned over what he described as the "anti-
people" agenda of the Indian
government.

Election officials reported a voter turnout of just 6.5%.

The Indian government deployed tight security ahead of
 the polling, with 20,000 additional troops sent to the area.

Internet services were also shut down in an attempt to 
hold a peaceful poll.