Srinagar, India  - At least 10 people were injured when the police used batons to disperse an anti-election protest in India's northern Jammuand Kashmir state Sunday, police said.

The fourth leg of a seven-phase staggered election is being held in the restive state. Separatist political parties called a boycott of the elections for the state legislative assembly.

There was brisk to moderate polling in the 18 constituencies where polling was being held Sunday, election officials said.

Police baton-charged a large group of protestors in Sopore town, about 50 kilometres north of state capital Srinagar, injuring 10 people, the officials said.

Witnesses said six journalists were also injured.

Thousands of Indian Army troops and police are providing security for voters. There was an undeclared curfew in major towns in the Kashmir valley as people were stopped from moving on the streets or gathering in groups.

The response of voters has been higher than usual in the three phases of elections held so far, with voting ranging from 50 to 60 per cent.

Jammu and Kashmir state came under federal rule in July after Congress Party chief minister Ghulam Nabi Azad resigned following violent protests over a land disputes that snowballed into anti-India demonstrations.

The disputed region, which has seen a violent secessionist movement that has taken more than 50,000 lives since the mid-1980s, is currently divided into two parts, one administered by India and the other by neighbouring Pakistan.

The nuclear-capable South Asian neighbours have fought two wars over the region. (dpa)