Jammu, Nov. 17 : Braving freezing temperatures and ignoring separatists'' boycott call, voters came out in large numbers with an average 55 per cent turnout recorded in the first phase of the Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir held amid unprecedented security on Monday.

Bandipur (J-K), Nov 17 : Angry women protesters clashed with the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel at Bandipora in Jammu and Kashmir on Monday amidst the first phase of seven-phased Assembly polls.

Witnesses said that men, women and children assembled outside the polling booths in the town and tried to stage pro-freedom demonstrations.

The CRPF personnel resorted to baton charge and scuffled with demonstrators to disperse them. Protesters offered stiff resistance and in the police action and mob retaliation at least three persons sustained injuries.

Sumbal (J-K), Nov 17 : Brisk voting continues in Jammu and Kashmir during the first of the seven-phase polling on Monday amidst mild protests from separatists.

Ten constituencies in Leh, Kargil, Bandipora and Poonch districts are voting on Monday.

Sumbal in Bandipora district went to polls with mild protests from a small group of protestors.

Srinagar, India - Voters turned out for the legislative assembly election in India's Jammu and Kashmir state Monday, despite a boycott call by separatist political parties and threats by militants.

Thousands of Indian Army troops and police provided security for voters in the 10 constituencies where the first of the seven-phase staggered elections are being held.

The response of voters was varied across constituencies. A turnout of 25 per cent was reported in Bandipora in the Kashmir valley and 60 per cent in Jammu constituency with two hours of polling remaining.

Srinagar, Nov 17 : Polling today began on a dull note due to severe cold in ten assembly segments in the first of seven-phase elections in Jammu and Kashmir amid unprecedented security arrangements.

Over 600,000 voters are eligible to exercise their franchise in this phase to choose 10 representatives in the most-keenly fought Assembly elections in the State''s political history despite boycott call by separatists.

Key Sonawari constituency in Bandipora valley has the highest number of candidates among the 10 seats while Nobra constituency in Leh district has the least.

Despite the poll boycott call by separatists, a record number of 102 candidates are trying their luck for first phase of polling from 10 constituencies of Jammu and Kashmir.

First phase of polling will be held on 17 Nov.

The Election Commission had announced a seven phase polling programme for J&K.

The contituencies going to the polls are - Gurez, Bandipora and Sonawari in the Kashmir Valley, Leh, Nobra, Zanskar and Kargil in the Ladakh region and Surankote, Mendhar and Poonch-Haveli in the Jammu region.

Sonawari and Bandipora will see 22 and 19 candidates respectively in the fray. There are six candidates in Gurez, Poonch-Haveli has 13, Mendhar 12, Surankote 11, five each in Kargil, Leh and Zanskar and four in Nobra.