Indian Kashmir curfew hits mosques

SRINAGAR: Indian troops enforced a strict curfew across much of Kashmir on Friday, preventing many worshippers from attending their Friday prayers.

The region has been hit by strikes, demonstrations and curfews over the killing of several civilians during the last month by Indian police and paramilitary forces struggling to control separatist rallies.

In Srinagar, the summer capital of Indian Kashmir, police backed by paramilitary soldiers sealed off neighbourhoods with barbed wire and blocked roads with security vehicles.

The Jamia Masjid, the main mosque in Srinagar, was among the many mosques worshippers were unable to attend for Friday prayers.

Small groups of protesters defied the curfew in Srinagar, clashing briefly with baton-wielding riot police, witnesses said.

Other protests also occurred near Sopore town, where paramilitary forces shot dead two Muslim men last Friday after their vehicle was attacked by protesters. A general strike has closed shops and offices in the Kashmir valley for five days.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 3rd, 2010.