Bangkok, February 1
Explosions and several shots were heard in the Thai capital today as opposition activists bent on disrupting Sunday's controversial snap polls clashed with government supporters, leaving seven persons injured.

The political rivals clashed with pistols and assault rifles despite tight security put in place to thwart the opposition's attempts to scuttle the vote, including the deployment of over 2,00,000 security personnel.

Soldiers were reported to be moving into Lak Si area, where the clashes erupted, to assist police in controlling the situation. Two explosions were heard in the area, which police said were caused by Molotov cocktails, before the firing began.

The firing continued for nearly an hour and left six Thais, including a reporter, and American photojournalist James Nachtwey injured, the city's emergency services said.

People caught up in the violence took shelter inside a nearby mall and a covered pedestrian bridge, while others were seen hiding behind vehicles, Bangkok Post reported. Protesters marched in Bangkok and laid siege to a building where ballots were stored in a final bid to derail the polls and stop beleaguered premier Yingluck Shinawatra from returning to power.

A total of 49 million voters are eligible to exercise their franchise. Police and army personnel will provide security at more than 93,000 polling stations nationwide.

Twenty-seven companies of soldiers will assist police in ensuring that people who want to vote can do so, said Chalerm Yubamrung, the director of the Centre for Maintaining Peace and Order (CMPO).

The CMPO would use its authority under an emergency decree to ensure smooth polling, Chalerm, also the caretaker Labour Minister, said referring to the 60-day emergency imposed last week in Bangkok and nearby areas to tackle months of unrest.

Unfazed by threats from political rivals to block the vote, Yingluck today rebutted the opposition Democrat Party's claim that the election was "unconstitutional". — PTI

New York, February 1
The US State Department has contended that Indian diplomat Devyani Khobragade does not enjoy immunity from prosecution on charges of visa fraud and making false statements but her lawyer today rejected the assertion, saying the issue will be decided by the court.

Papers submitted to a court here yesterday by Manhattan's federal prosecutor, India-born Preet Bharara, concluded that US authorities were not wrong in arresting and detaining Khobragade on visa fraud charges on December 12 since she did not have full diplomatic immunity in her capacity as India's Deputy Consul General.

The declaration, dated January 29 and signed by Attorney-Advisor in the Office of the Legal Advisor of the Department of State Stephen Kerr, was submitted by Bharara in support of his memorandum opposing 39-year-old Khobragade's motion to dismiss the indictment against her.

"The Department of State concludes that Dr Khobragade did not enjoy immunity from arrest or detention at the time of her arrest in this case, and she does not presently enjoy immunity from prosecution for the crimes charged in the indictment," the declaration said.

Responding to Bharara's motion, Khobragade's attorney Daniel Arshack said the court will decide these issues. — PTI