Residents in India-controlled Kashmir vote in the second phase of polls surrounded by heavy security

SRINAGAR, India (AP) — Under elaborate security, residents in Indian-controlled Kashmir began casting their votes Wednesday in the second phase of a staggered election for a local government.

About 2.6 million residents are eligible to elect 26 of the 239 candidates in six districts, including in the biggest regional main city of Srinagar, where voters in some polling booths queued outside early in the morning. The region's chief electoral officer in a statement said over 24% voting was recorded through 11 a.m.

It is the first such election in a decade, and the first since Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Hindu nationalist government scrapped the Muslim-majority region’s semi-autonomy in 2019. The former state was also downgraded and divided into two centrally governed union territories, Ladakh and Jammu-Kashmir. Both are ruled directly by New Delhi, allowing it to appoint administrators to run them along unelected bureaucrats and security setup.

The region has since been on edge with civil liberties curbed and media freedoms gagged.

The vote also comes for the first time in over three decades without any boycott call from separatists who challenge Indian’s sovereignty over Kashmir. Polls in the past have been marked with violence, boycotts and vote-rigging, even though India called them a victory over separatism.

“Our first and foremost issue is restoration of (the region’s) semi-autonomy and statehood. That is why I am voting,” said Mehraj Ud Din Malik, a voter in Srinagar. “Other developmental works will follow as they are our basic rights.”

Except for Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party, most parties contesting the election have expressly been campaigning on promises to fight for reversing the 2019 changes and address other key issues like rising unemployment and inflation in the region. India’s main opposition, the Congress party, which is fighting the election in alliance with Kashmir’s National Conference, favors restorating the region’s statehood.

The BJP has vowed to block any move aimed at undoing those changes but promised to help in the region’s economic development.

Authorities erected checkpoints and laid razor wire in the voting districts as government forces wearing flak jackets and carrying assault rifles patrolled the constituencies.

The third phase is scheduled for Oct. 1 and votes will be counted on Oct. 8, with results expected that day. Voting began Sept. 18 with about 59% voter turnout in what the region’s chief electoral officer said was an “incident-free and peaceful" first round of polls.

Authorities have limited access of foreign media to polling stations and denied press credentials to most journalists working with international media, including to The Associated Press, without citing any reason.

India and Pakistan each administer part of Kashmir, but both claim the territory in its entirety. Militants in the Indian-controlled portion of Kashmir have been fighting New Delhi’s rule since 1989. Many Muslim Kashmiris support the rebels’ goal of uniting the territory, either under Pakistani rule or as an independent country.

India insists the Kashmir militancy is Pakistan-sponsored terrorism. Pakistan denies the charge, and many Kashmiris consider it a legitimate freedom struggle. Tens of thousands of civilians, rebels and government forces have been killed in the conflict.

The multistage election will allow Kashmir to have its own truncated government and a local legislature, called an assembly, rather than being directly under New Delhi’s rule. However, there will be a limited transition of power from New Delhi to the local assembly as Kashmir will remain a “Union Territory” — directly controlled by the federal government — with India’s Parliament as its main legislator. Kashmir’s statehood must be restored for the new government to have powers similar to other states of India.

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Kashmiri's queue up at a polling booth to cast their vote during the second phase of the assembly election in the outskirts of Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024. (AP Photo/Dar Yasin)

Kashmiri people queue up at a polling booth to cast their vote during the second phase of the assembly election in the outskirts of Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024. (AP Photo/Dar Yasin)

Kashmiri women queue up at a polling booth to cast their vote during the second phase of the assembly election in the outskirts of Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024. (AP Photo/Dar Yasin)

Abdul Ahad lone shows the indelible ink mark on his index finger after casting his vote in the outskirts of Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024. (AP Photo/Dar Yasin)

Kashmiri's queue up at a polling booth to cast their vote during the second phase of the assembly election in the outskirts of Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024. (AP Photo/Dar Yasin)

Kashmiri's queue up at a polling booth to cast their vote during the second phase of the assembly election in the outskirts of Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024. (AP Photo/Dar Yasin)

Indian paramilitary soldiers guard a polling station during the second phase of the assembly election in the outskirts of Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024. (AP Photo/Dar Yasin)

Kashmiri women queue up at a polling booth to cast their vote during the second phase of the assembly election in the outskirts of Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024. (AP Photo/Dar Yasin)

An Indian paramilitary soldier stands guard as Kashmiri's queue up at a polling booth to cast their vote during the second phase of the assembly election in the outskirts of Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024. (AP Photo/Dar Yasin)

Kashmiri's queue up at a polling booth to cast their vote during the second phase of the assembly election in the outskirts of Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024. (AP Photo/Dar Yasin)

Kashmiri's queue up at a polling booth to cast their vote during the second phase of the assembly election in the outskirts of Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024. (AP Photo/Dar Yasin)

Sayeeda Begum shows the indelible ink mark on her index finger after casting her vote in the outskirts of Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024. (AP Photo/Dar Yasin)

Kashmiri women queue up at a polling booth to cast their vote during the second phase of the assembly election in the outskirts of Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024. (AP Photo/Dar Yasin)

An Indian paramilitary soldier stands guard as Kashmiri's queue up at a polling booth to cast their vote during the second phase of the assembly election in the outskirts of Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024. (AP Photo/Dar Yasin)

Polling officials and police walk on a wooden bridge towards a polling station in the interior of Dal Lake ahead of the second phase of voting for choosing a local government in Indian-controlled Kashmir, in Srinagar, Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Mukhtar Khan)

Indian policemen patrol as they guard near a venue for distribution of election material, ahead of the second phase of voting for choosing a local government in Indian-controlled Kashmir, in Srinagar, Tuesday, Sept. 24 , 2024. (AP Photo/Mukhtar Khan)

Polling officials check electronic voting machines and other election material to a venue for distribution, ahead of the second phase of voting for choosing a local government in Indian-controlled Kashmir, in Srinagar, Tuesday, Sept. 24 , 2024. (AP Photo/Mukhtar Khan)

Indian policemen patrol as they guard near a venue for distribution of election material, ahead of the second phase of voting for choosing a local government in Indian-controlled Kashmir, in Srinagar, Tuesday, Sept. 24 , 2024. (AP Photo/Mukhtar Khan)

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Manny Machado started a game-ending triple play and the San Diego Padres clinched a postseason berth with a 4-2 victory over the NL West-leading Los Angeles Dodgers on Tuesday night.

Jake Cronenworth hit an early two-run homer for the streaking Padres, assured at least a National League wild card with five games left in the regular season. They moved within two games of Los Angeles, with two games remaining in their critical series at Dodger Stadium.

“Just to get this lead back up to three, it's really important,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said.

After the Dodgers scored once in the ninth inning, they had runners at first and second when Miguel Rojas hit a sharp grounder to Machado at third base. The former Dodger stepped on the bag and went around the horn for a triple play that ended it.

“We've got to give Manny credit,” Roberts said. “He made a heck of a play.”

The Dodgers hit into two double plays earlier in the game.

San Diego's celebration was delayed when the Dodgers challenged the out call at second base, but the ruling was upheld following a replay review.

“It's shocking,” Roberts said of the ending. “It's the least likely outcome.”

The second-place Padres have won four in a row and nine of 10. San Diego owns the tiebreaker against Los Angeles with an 8-3 record in head-to-head matchups.

“We’re going to enjoy tonight, enjoy this game, enjoy the celebration,” Machado said, “but the job’s not finished yet.”

The Dodgers' magic number remained four to clinch the division title.

San Diego's four runs came with two outs in front of 50,369 fans who created a playoff atmosphere for the opener of the huge three-game series. They chanted “MVP! MVP!” at Shohei Ohtani while mercilessly booing Machado and Fernando Tatis Jr.

“How much better in a tough spot than with Ohtani in the on-deck circle we turn a triple play to end the game against one of the best teams in baseball?” Machado said.

Cronenworth had no RBIs in September until producing three against the Padres' biggest rivals, including his 12th career homer against the Dodgers. He had been without an extra-base hit in his previous 50 at-bats.

Padres starter Michael King (13-9) allowed one unearned run and three hits in five innings. The right-hander struck out three and walked two.

San Diego extended its lead to 4-1 in the fourth on Xander Bogaerts' RBI single and Cronenworth's RBI double.

The Dodgers got on the board in the first on Bogaerts' throwing error at shortstop that scored Ohtani, who led off with a ground-rule double on the first pitch he saw. It was his 95th extra-base hit of the season, a franchise record.

Mookie Betts was safe at first when Bogaerts' throw on a routine grounder went into the Padres' dugout, allowing Betts to take second.

“We had opportunities and the only run we scored we got gifted from an error,” Roberts said. “We just couldn’t get a hit with runners in scoring position.”

Rookie starter Landon Knack (3-5) gave up four runs and five hits in four innings for Los Angeles. He struck out four and walked one.

The right-hander unraveled in the fourth, when he needed 39 pitches after throwing just 38 through the first three innings. Knack had a balk and a wild pitch, and the Padres stole a base in the inning.

The Dodgers left the bases loaded in the second when Betts struck out swinging.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Dodgers: Transferred RHP Gavin Stone (right shoulder) to the 60-day IL. ... LHP Anthony Banda (broken left hand) threw a bullpen and is on track to return in the next couple of days. ... LHP Clayton Kershaw (toe) won't face hitters this week.

UP NEXT

Padres: RHP Dylan Cease (14-11, 3.42 ERA) makes his final start before the postseason.

Dodgers: RHP Jack Flaherty (13-7, 3.10) is limiting opposing hitters to a .233 average.

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Landon Knack throws to the plate during the first inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padresl, Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

San Diego Padres' Jake Cronenworth, second from left, hits a two-run home run as Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Landon Knack, left, washes along with catcher Will Smith, right, and home plate umpire Tripp Gibson during the second inning of a baseball game, Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

San Diego Padres' Jake Cronenworth, right, scores after hitting a two-run home run as Jackson Merrill waits to congratulate him during the second inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

San Diego Padres' Manny Machado reacts after striking out during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

San Diego Padres starting pitcher Michael King throws to the plate during the first inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani hits a double during the first inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres, Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Padres clinch postseason berth with 4-2 win over NL West-leading Dodgers in opener of crucial series

San Diego Padres' Jake Cronenworth, right, gestures as he round first after hitting a two-run home run during the first inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Padres clinch postseason berth with 4-2 win over NL West-leading Dodgers in opener of crucial series