Fresh protests in Indian-held Kashmir kill two, injure over 100
Thousands of residents clashed with government forces, defying the curfew
Masked protesters pose before the start of a protest against the recent killings in Kashmir, on the outskirts of Srinagar, August 5, 2016. PHOTO: REUTERS
SRINIGAR:
Fresh protests in Indian-held Kashmir Friday left at least two protesters dead and more than 100 injured, taking the death toll from nearly a month of unrest to 54.
Thousands of residents clashed with government forces, defying a curfew authorities extended to large parts of the disputed territory, including the main city of Srinagar, for the 28th straight day.
Government forces fired bullets, tear gas shells and pellets from shotguns to break up demonstrations and thwart a protest march called by separatists opposed to Indian rule.
"Forces fired to disperse large crowds at two places in Budgam district in which two persons died," a senior police officer told AFP on condition of anonymity as he was not authorised to speak to media.
Amnesty proposes ban on pellet guns in Kashmir
"Over 100 protesters (and) some policemen were injured in the day-long clashes," the officer said.
Indian-held Kashmir has spiralled into unrest with almost daily anti-India protests and clashes since the killing on July 8 of popular young rebel leader Burhan Wani in a gunfight with soldiers.
The Himalayan territory has remained locked down since then as authorities imposed a rolling curfew, cut internet services and suspended most mobile networks.
The unrest, the worst since 2010, has left 54 civilians and two policemen dead so far. More than 4,000 people have been injured, many with pellets in their eyes causing partial or complete blindness.
Several rebel groups, including Wani's Hizbul Mujahideen for decades have fought hundreds of thousands of Indian troops deployed in the territory, demanding the region's independence or its merger with Pakistan.
Rights groups say 70,000 people, mostly civilians, have died in the fighting since 1989 when an armed rebellion against Indian rule began.
Fresh protests in Indian-held Kashmir Friday left at least two protesters dead and more than 100 injured, taking the death toll from nearly a month of unrest to 54.
Thousands of residents clashed with government forces, defying a curfew authorities extended to large parts of the disputed territory, including the main city of Srinagar, for the 28th straight day.
Government forces fired bullets, tear gas shells and pellets from shotguns to break up demonstrations and thwart a protest march called by separatists opposed to Indian rule.
"Forces fired to disperse large crowds at two places in Budgam district in which two persons died," a senior police officer told AFP on condition of anonymity as he was not authorised to speak to media.
Amnesty proposes ban on pellet guns in Kashmir
"Over 100 protesters (and) some policemen were injured in the day-long clashes," the officer said.
Indian-held Kashmir has spiralled into unrest with almost daily anti-India protests and clashes since the killing on July 8 of popular young rebel leader Burhan Wani in a gunfight with soldiers.
The Himalayan territory has remained locked down since then as authorities imposed a rolling curfew, cut internet services and suspended most mobile networks.
The unrest, the worst since 2010, has left 54 civilians and two policemen dead so far. More than 4,000 people have been injured, many with pellets in their eyes causing partial or complete blindness.
Several rebel groups, including Wani's Hizbul Mujahideen for decades have fought hundreds of thousands of Indian troops deployed in the territory, demanding the region's independence or its merger with Pakistan.
Rights groups say 70,000 people, mostly civilians, have died in the fighting since 1989 when an armed rebellion against Indian rule began.