Visas given to Kailash Mansarovar pilgrims: Chinese sources
New Delhi: China has granted visas to Indian pilgrims undertaking the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, sources in the Chinese Embassy said on Wednesday. There were reports that the Chinese government delayed granting visas to a group of Indians in the wake of India making Ladakh a Union Territory.
"Chinese visas for Kailash Masarovar Yatra have been granted to the Indian pilgrims as usual. There has not been any problem with it," a source in the Chinese embassy said.
The pilgrimage to Kailash Mansarovar in Tibetan region of China is considered holy by Hindus. Every year, hundreds of Indians undertake the yatra which involves trekking in inhospitable conditions.
On Tuesday, China objected to India's decision to create a separate Union Territory of Ladakh and said it was "seriously concerned" about the current situation in Kashmir.
India, however, rejected China's objection, calling it an internal matter of the country.
The government has revoked provisions of Article 370 which give special status to Jammu and Kashmir, and bifurcated the state into two union territories -- Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh.
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7 held in election-related violence in Assam: Police
Guwahati, Apr 9 (PTI) Seven people were held in connection with election-related violence at two places in Assam, officials said on Thursday.
Besides, minor clashes also erupted at several polling booths after voting began in the morning, with people suffering minor injuries, they said.
Inspector General of Police (Law and Order), Akhilesh Kumar Singh, told PTI that violence took place in Tamulpur and Sivasagar on Wednesday night, hours before polling began for the assembly elections at 7 am.
"We got reports of a clash between two groups at Tamulpur last night. Police reached the spot immediately and tried to control the crowd. When they did not listen, a few rounds were fired in the air to disperse the mob," he said, adding that four people were arrested from the site.
In another incident, two to three members of a political party were attacked in Sivasagar, the IG said.
"We have detained three persons there. The investigation is going on," he said.
Akhil Gogoi, who is seeking re-election from the Sibsagar seat, alleged that BJP nominee Kushal Dowari was behind the incident.
In a series of social media posts, Gogoi claimed two people were injured, and their vehicles were also damaged in the attack.
Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) Chief Executive Member Hagrama Mohilary said a detailed enquiry will reveal the cause of the clash in Tamulpur.
"The situation is normal now. We are monitoring it, and there is enough security presence to avoid any untoward incident," he said.
Polling is underway for the 126-member assembly to decide the electoral fate of 722 candidates. It will continue till 5 pm, with May 4 scheduled for the counting of votes.
A number of minor clashes have erupted at several polling stations in Sribhumi, Golaghat and Nagaon districts.
"Most of the clashes took place due to heavy rush, with people fighting over breaking the queue," an official said.
At some polling booths in places like Patharkandi, Merapani and Raha, supporters of ruling and opposition parties clashed, he said.
"However, police were already present in those areas, and the situations were handled instantly. The polling is going on uninterrupted," he added.
The BJP-led NDA is seeking a third consecutive term in power in these elections, while the Congress is looking to reclaim the state it lost a decade ago.
