Thousands Protest Indian Kashmir Killing
The protesters say soldiers shot Mushtaq Ahmed Mir during a clash between Muslim militants and Indian troops
Last updated on: January 23, 2010 7:00 PM
Thousands of people protested Sunday in the streets of Indian-controlled Kashmir, accusing the Indian army of killing a civilian.
Police say Mushtaq Ahmed Mir was killed late Saturday in the crossfire during a clash between Muslim militants and Indian troops.
The protesters say soldiers shot Mir in the conflict.
In an incident Friday, police say one civilian was killed and several people were wounded when law enforcement officers opened fire on demonstrators in the same region.
Investigators say the protest erupted after police set up a road block in a village about 30 kilometers north of Srinagar, the region's largest city. Demonstrators complained the barrier blocked the route to a Muslim shrine.
Anti-India sentiment is strong in Muslim-majority Kashmir. Islamic separatists in the region have been fighting for decades for independence from India or a merger with Muslim-majority Pakistan.
Some information for this report was provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.