SRINAGAR: Authorities in Indian held Kashmir placed more towns under curfew on Tuesday as protests over the killing of eight residents spread through the region.
Eight Kashmiri civilians have been killed in incidents involving Indian security forces in less than three weeks, with paramilitary troops struggling to contain violent protests against rule from New Delhi.
Sopore town, about 50 kilometres (30 miles) north of Kashmiri summer capital Srinagar, has been under curfew since Friday after two young men died when soldiers opened fire as protesters attacked their vehicle.
On Sunday and Monday three more protesters were killed -- including a nine-year-old boy -- in Sopore and the neighbouring town of Baramulla as troops tried to quell angry demonstrations.
"We have imposed a curfew in Baramulla town and in some parts of Srinagar," a police spokesman who declined to be named told AFP. Separatist leaders urged people to observe a general strike for two days from Tuesday to denounce the killings. The strike closed shops, businesses and schools in Srinagar and other towns.
The valley has seen a spike in protests since June 11, when a 17-year-old student died after being hit by a teargas shell fired by police during a demonstration in Srinagar.
Tufail Matoo was not part of the protest and was carrying his school bag when he was hit, his family said.
COMMENTS
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ