A rights group in Indian-held Kashmir Coalition of Civil Society (CCS) Monday denounced the local government for making random arrests in the restive region and termed the ongoing Indian elections a military exercise.
"The violent and enforced electoral process in Indian-controlled Kashmir is continuing with increased arrests, brutalization and siege," reads a statement issued by CCS, saying that armed forces have intensified "the arrest spree."
According to CCS, during the past few weeks around 2,000 people, mostly youth, have been arrested and separatist leaders like Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Yasin Malik, Shabir Ahmed Shah and scores of other anti-India political leaders and activists have also been detained.
"India has repeatedly by its conduct proven that elections in Indian-controlled Kashmir is a military exercise," said the statement.
Voting for India's general elections in Indian-controlled Kashmir is being held in phased manners amid stringent security measures.
In Indian-occupied Kashmir, the ruling National Conference is in pre-poll alliance with India's Congress party.
In ongoing elections the Congress party is seeking to regain power under leadership of Rahul Gandhi -- the fourth generation scion of India's powerful Nehru-Gandhi clan. He is facing Hindu nationalist Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) prime ministerial nominee Narendra Modi.