Thousands line up to vote in state assembly elections in Indian Kashmir

A polling officer, right, puts an ink mark on the finger of a voter during the first phase of voting to the Jammu and Kashmir state assembly elections in Khranihama, some 25 kilometers (16 miles) north east of Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2014. Thousands lined up to cast their votes amid a boycott call by Muslim separatist groups who reject India's sovereignty over the disputed Himalayan region. (AP Photo/ Dar Yasin) (The Associated Press)

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An elderly Kashmiri woman casts her vote at a polling station set up inside a school during the first phase of voting to the Jammu and Kashmir state assembly elections in Ganderbal, about 20 kilometers (12 miles) north east of Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2014. Thousands lined up to cast their votes amid a boycott call by Muslim separatist groups who reject India's sovereignty over the disputed Himalayan region. (AP Photo/ Dar Yasin) (The Associated Press)

Indian paramilitary soldiers stand guard beside a highway during the first phase of voting to the Jammu and Kashmir state assembly elections in Ganderbal, about 20 kilometers (12 miles) north east of Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2014. Thousands lined up to cast their votes amid a boycott call by Muslim separatist groups who reject India's sovereignty over the disputed Himalayan region. (AP Photo/ Dar Yasin) (The Associated Press)

Thousands of voters have lined up to cast their votes in state elections in Indian Kashmir amid a boycott call by Muslim separatist groups who reject India's sovereignty over the disputed Himalayan region.

Voter turnout was moderate early Tuesday with the temperatures low and skies overcast. Thousands of paramilitary soldiers and police officers patrolled near polling stations as voting opened in villages and towns.

Polling was brisk in some places and long lines of voters stretched around polling booths north of the main city of Srinagar.

The elections are to be held in five phases through Dec. 23 in a staggered process that allows the government to deploy thousands of troops to prevent any outbreak of violence.

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