Kashmiri Muslims Chant 'Down with India!'

Violent Muslim protests broke out during India's massive general election in Kashmir Thursday.

The protestors hurled rocks at polling stations, urging people to boycott the election and yelling, "Down with India!"

Indian forces used tear gas and batons to disperse the protestors. The rebel groups are fighting for Kashmiri independence from India or to be merged with Pakistan.

Aqib Ahmed, a young voter, said he won't vote because he cannot remain blind to Indian atrocities on Kashmiris.

However, 50-year-old Abdul Ahad said the people were facing multiple issues in the region.

"I am voting in the hope that the issue of development for progress is taken care of," Ahad said.

Kashmir itself had a nearly non-existent voter turnout becuase of intimidation by protesters.  

This is the world's largest democratic election with more than 800 million eligible voters. The voting process will take more than six weeks, and results will be released May 16.

Kashmir elects only six of the 543-member Indian parliament.