Three Indian states hold election

The Congress party is hoping to retain power in the three states

Polls have been held in three Indian states in what is the first major test for the country's political parties after the general elections in April.

Voting took place in the states of Maharashtra, Haryana and tiny Arunachal Pradesh in the north-east.

Security was tight in Maharashtra after recent Maoist violence.

The elections will be the first major test of strength for the Congress party-led federal government, which has completed nearly six months in power.

The Congress was looking to retain control of all three states holding elections.

Maharashtra is one of India's most important states. Its capital, Mumbai (Bombay), is the country's financial centre.

More than 100,000 security personnel were deployed in the state to ensure peaceful polling, police said.

'Incursions'

Last week, Maoist rebels killed 17 policemen in an ambush in the Gadchiroli area of Maharashtra.

The Congress is hoping to get elected to power in the state for a third consecutive term with its regional ally the NCP.

In the northern state of Haryana, the Congress is seeking a second term in office against a divided opposition, correspondents say.

Polling in the early hours of Tuesday in Arunachal Pradesh in the north-east, was brisk and long queues of voters were seen even in remote hill areas, says the BBC's Subir Bhaumik in Calcutta.

Large parts of this state are claimed by China and border tensions following reports of Chinese "incursions" have dominated the campaign.

Three lawmakers of the state's ruling Congress party, including Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu, have been elected unopposed.

The remaining 57 seats in the Arunachal Pradesh assembly were to be decided in Tuesday's voting.

Counting of votes will take place on 22 October.