"Anti-election campaigns will not be allowed and separatists will be detained to ensure free, fair and transparent elections in the state," the police official said. Last week's attack has also raised tensions between nuclear-armed neighbours India and Pakistan, that both claim Kashmir in full but rule it in part. The arrests led to violent scenes in parts of Kashmir, with stone-throwing protestors met by police firing tear gas. JeI's leader, Dr Abdul Hamid Fayaz and Yasin Malik, the head of Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) that wants independence from both India and Pakistan, were among those detained. Next week India's Supreme Court is also expected to hear a petition attempting to remove an article in the country's constitution that prevents non-residents from moving to Jammu and Kashmir, the Indian state that contains Muslim-majority Kashmir.

Source: Dhaka Tribune February 23, 2019 07:52 UTC