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SRINAGAR: Indian security forces opened fire on curfew-defying protesters in the disputed region of India-held Kashmir on Friday, killing three and bringing the number of people killed in the recent wave of unrest to 55.
Earlier in the day, the Indian authorities extended a curfew to most parts of the disputed region in an attempt to prevent an anti-India protest march to a prominent shrine, but clashes erupted as thousands defied the restrictions.
The occupied region has been under a rolling curfew and strikes for nearly a month after the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen militant commander Burhan Wani sparked massive anti-India demonstrations.
At least 52 civilians and a policeman have been killed and thousands injured since then.
Kashmiris marched to Hazratbal shrine in the city of Srinagar and stage protests after Friday prayers there. Police and paramilitary soldiers patrolled streets and laid razor wire and steel barricades to cut off neighbourhoods in the city. Shops, businesses and schools remained closed for the 28th consecutive day.
A policeman fires tear gas towards protesters. —Reuters
Thousands of Kashmiris defied the security lockdown and demonstrated at dozens of places in the region. They chanted slogans such as “Go India, go back” and “We want freedom”.
Violence erupted in at least two dozen places after police and paramilitary soldiers intercepted the protesters and fired tear gas and shotgun pellets, police and witnesses said.
At least 35 civilians and 12 policemen were reported injured.
Troops continued firing shotguns to disperse angry crowds despite warnings from India's home ministry to minimise their use, and requests for a ban from local and international rights groups.
The pellets have killed at least one man and left hundreds of civilians with serious eye injuries.
Dozens of people have lost their vision because of pellet injuries. Government forces barred people from praying at large mosques across the region for a fourth Friday in a row, but allowed prayers at small neighbourhood mosques.
Local politicians, demanding an end to Indian rule, have extended the protest strikes until August 12.
The Himalayan territory has remained locked down since then as authorities imposed a rolling curfew, cut internet services and suspended most mobile networks.
The troubled region is experiencing some of the largest protests against Indian rule in recent years since troops killed the militant commander on July 8.
Most people in the Indian-controlled part resent the presence of hundreds of thousands of Indian troops and support the rebel cause.
Rights groups say 70,000 people, mostly civilians, have died in the fighting since 1989 when an armed rebellion against Indian rule began.
Earlier in the day, the Indian authorities extended a curfew to most parts of the disputed region in an attempt to prevent an anti-India protest march to a prominent shrine, but clashes erupted as thousands defied the restrictions.
The occupied region has been under a rolling curfew and strikes for nearly a month after the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen militant commander Burhan Wani sparked massive anti-India demonstrations.
At least 52 civilians and a policeman have been killed and thousands injured since then.
Kashmiris marched to Hazratbal shrine in the city of Srinagar and stage protests after Friday prayers there. Police and paramilitary soldiers patrolled streets and laid razor wire and steel barricades to cut off neighbourhoods in the city. Shops, businesses and schools remained closed for the 28th consecutive day.
A policeman fires tear gas towards protesters. —Reuters
Thousands of Kashmiris defied the security lockdown and demonstrated at dozens of places in the region. They chanted slogans such as “Go India, go back” and “We want freedom”.
Violence erupted in at least two dozen places after police and paramilitary soldiers intercepted the protesters and fired tear gas and shotgun pellets, police and witnesses said.
At least 35 civilians and 12 policemen were reported injured.
Troops continued firing shotguns to disperse angry crowds despite warnings from India's home ministry to minimise their use, and requests for a ban from local and international rights groups.
The pellets have killed at least one man and left hundreds of civilians with serious eye injuries.
Dozens of people have lost their vision because of pellet injuries. Government forces barred people from praying at large mosques across the region for a fourth Friday in a row, but allowed prayers at small neighbourhood mosques.
Local politicians, demanding an end to Indian rule, have extended the protest strikes until August 12.
The Himalayan territory has remained locked down since then as authorities imposed a rolling curfew, cut internet services and suspended most mobile networks.
The troubled region is experiencing some of the largest protests against Indian rule in recent years since troops killed the militant commander on July 8.
Most people in the Indian-controlled part resent the presence of hundreds of thousands of Indian troops and support the rebel cause.
Rights groups say 70,000 people, mostly civilians, have died in the fighting since 1989 when an armed rebellion against Indian rule began.
