Accessibility links

Breaking News

More Clashes in Indian Kashmir Despite Curfew


Protesters have taken to the streets in villages across Indian Kashmir in defiance of a strict curfew in the region, which has been wracked by months of violent demonstrations.

Authorities re-imposed the curfew in Srinagar, the main city, and in most major towns on Saturday, a day after government forces killed four people during protests against New Delhi's rule.

However, thousands of people staged marches across the region anyway. Some clashes were reported, with police using teargas and batons to disperse protesters. Several people were injured.

The latest violence came as Kashmiris marked the first Friday of the Ramadan fasting month, when many people in the mostly Muslim region visit mosques to pray.

More than 50 people have died in anti-India protests in the past two months. The protests began after an Indian police teargas canister killed a 17-year-old student on June 11.

The additional fatalities have provoked more demonstrations and violence, bringing daily life to a standstill.

Kashmir is divided between India and Pakistan. Muslim separatists have been fighting for independence from India or a merger with Pakistan for decades.

Some information for this report was provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.

XS
SM
MD
LG