Srinagar, Kashmir - Provincial elections in India-administered Kashmir were marred by violence on Saturday as police opened fire at an anti-poll demonstration, killing a protestor and wounding 20.

Hundreds of people came out on the streets in the Pulwama district, 28 kilometres south of the main city Srinagar, where polling was being held for the fifth phase of the state assembly elections.

"One person died in the firing as the police tried to control the mob which was shouting slogans against Indian rule," a local police official said requesting anonymity.

"Seven out of the 20 injured are serious and have been rushed for medical treatment at hospitals nearby," he added.

Clashes between police and protestors were also reported from areas in the Shopian region, also in Kashmir valley where three policemen were injured.

Saturday's was the first death in violence during the seven-phase polls in Indian Kashmir. The elections that began on November 17 had been largely peaceful in the first four phases.

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

Police has detained several separatist leaders - who had called for a poll boycott- to prevent them from organizing protests against the elections due to end on December
24.

The 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)