by Peerzada Arshad Hamid

    JAMMU, India-controlled Kashmir, April 16 (Xinhua) -- Four months after India-controlled Kashmir voted in local elections, part of the region voted again Thursday in the Indian general elections.

    Jammu became the first Kashmiri constituency to participate in the polling Thursday. Voting for five other seats in the region would take place in the remaining four phases throughout the marathon elections.

    Heavily influenced by the previous election when more than 60 percent of voters cast their ballots, many separatists here were reassessing their former boycotting strategy and began resorting to a reflexible approach.

    But the hardline faction of separatist alliance, Hurriyat Conference, remained undeterred and called for a boycott again this time. So did the militant alliance United Jehad Council.

    But moderate camp distanced itself calling elections a non-issue, and another separatist leader, Sajjad Lone, himself plunged into poll fray, citing it was change of strategy, not ideology.

    Like separatists, hardline or moderate, people on the streets are sharply divided in opinion.

    "Casting vote is treason. It is a joke with the blood of our martyrs," said Ali Muhammad, 56, a shopkeeper in downtown Srinagar. He added that he would vote "only after Kashmir attains freedom."

    Shabir Ahmad Dar, 42, a government employee, from North Kashmir's Sopore town had similar views.

    "We have nothing to do with elections. These are Indian elections," said Dar, adding that he did not vote in the region's elections in 2008 either.

    Abdul Samad, 50, a businessman from Baramulla said he voted in the state elections in 2008, but will not vote in upcoming Indian general elections.

    "We have some local issues, and for those we voted in local elections. But these elections are for Indian parliament, we have no interest," said Samad.

    Some pro-New Delhi Muslim political activists here are, in contrast, showing great enthusiasm to the polling.

    "There will be heavy participation, like the 2008 elections," said Shabir Bhat, an activist with a pro-India Congress Party.

    Manzoor Ahmad, a shopkeeper in Kupwara town, said he will vote for separatist turned pro-India politician Sajjad Lone.

    Voters were seen waiting in queues outside many polling stations established in the city and outskirts.

    "We are part of India and by casting vote we will be able to chose our representative in the Indian parliament. We want development of our region," said Sanjay Kohili, a Jammu resident.

    Radhika Gupta, a housewife who waited in the scorching heat in the premises of Tourist reception Center to cast her vote, said: "I am voting for the over all development of our region and have full faith in Indian democracy."