NEW DELHI -- Northern India's Jammu and Kashmir region kicked off its first legislative assembly polls in about a decade on Wednesday, with local demands for restoration of the region's special status being one of the major issues. Voting will continue in October and results are due on Oct. 8.
Kashmir turmoil
India's Kashmir holds first assembly election in a decade
BJP, main opposition Congress and regional parties compete for 90 seats
Voters line up to cast ballots during the first phase of assembly elections in Pulwama, south of Srinagar, on Sept. 18 as Indian security personnel stand guard. © AFP/Jiji
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