Authorities imposed an indefinite curfew in Muslim-majority areas of Indian Kashmir early yesterday and thousands of security forces patrolled the Himalayan region’s main city ahead of another rally to protest Indian rule.
A general strike in Srinagar meanwhile entered a second day yesterday. Separatist leaders called for the weekend strike in Jammu-Kashmir state’s main city on Friday as part of mounting protests to demand freedom for the region.
The unrest is the worst to hit Kashmir in more than a decade and has left at least 34 people dead, mainly protesters.
PHOTO: AFP
Police drove through Muslim neighborhoods in sections of Kashmir Valley before dawn yesterday announcing the latest curfew and warning residents to stay indoors. The curfew does not apply to areas outside the valley, which have large Hindu populations and have been largely peaceful over the last two days.
“Stern action will be taken against violators,” the police warned.
No official reason has been given for the latest curfew in Kashmir, but it comes ahead of a separatist rally and sit-in planned for today in Srinagar.
“We have also called in the army to assist the police in enforcing law and order,” said Botlagauduru Srinivas, a senior police officer.
Thousands of police officers and paramilitary troops in riot gear patrolled the deserted streets of Srinagar yesterday.
Across the city, chants of “We want freedom!” could be heard from public announcement systems at mosques. The announcements also exhorted people to defy the curfew.
No violence or curfew violations were immediately reported.
A mass protest on Friday was the largest in two months of angry rallies that have rocked the Indian portion of Kashmir, pitting the region’s Muslim majority against the Hindu minority. An estimated 275,000 people thronged a main square in Srinagar for the rally called by a coalition of separatist political parties.
The crisis began in June when Muslims demonstrated over a government decision to transfer land to a Hindu shrine, saying it was actually a settlement plan meant to alter the religious balance in the region. After the plan was rescinded, Hindus took to the streets of Jammu, a predominantly Hindu city, demanding it be restored.
On Saturday police had to fire tear gas and use bamboo batons to disperse groups of Hindus and Muslims who defied a curfew and clashed in Poonch, a town 270km northwest of Jammu, senior police official K. Rajendra said. The curfew was imposed in Poonch after violence there early on Saturday.
At least 31 people, including 13 policemen, were injured in Saturday’s clashes, Rajendra said. The curfew in the town continued yesterday but there were no immediate reports of any fresh violence.
There is a long history of separatist movements in Kashmir, which has been divided between India and Pakistan since 1948. Most were peaceful until 1989, when a bloody Islamic insurgency began. The insurgents want to see India’s part of the region merged with Pakistan or given independence.
At least 68,000 people have been killed in the fighting.
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