June 27, 2008
Tens of thousands hit Indian Kashmir streets in protest
SRINAGAR, (India) - TENS of thousands of people poured onto the streets of Indian Kashmir's main city on Friday in some of the largest pro-freedom protests in the Muslim-majority region in almost two decades.
The demonstrations, which marked the fifth straight day of upheaval in the disputed Himalayan province, began as displays of anger over the transfer of land to a Hindu pilgrim body before growing into larger anti-India rallies.
Three Kashmiris have died this week and nearly 200 have been injured, evoking memories of widespread protests that swept the region after a separatist insurgency broke out in 1989.
Witnesses said the latest protests had a huge backing.
'It is one of the biggest pro-freedom marches I have witnessed,' said Mr Joginder Singh, a resident of the Lal Chowk commercial area, one of several spots in summer capital Srinagar where thousands were gathered.
Chanting 'We want freedom' and 'Stop the sale of Kashmir', the marchers passed through stone and brick-littered streets and tore down banners and billboards of pro-India parties as federal troops watched from a distance, an AFP reporter and witnesses said.
Large numbers of armed security personnel patrolled sensitive areas of the city on Friday, the day Muslims offer congregational prayers.
In the heart of the city police, who have been urged by local officials to show restraint, retreated before the swelling crowds.
After Friday afternoon prayers, thousands of worshippers emerged from Srinagar's main mosque and also started marching towards Lal Chowk, with thousands more joining them along the way.
Some in the crowd carried banners that read 'India leave Kashmir' while others among the protesters shouted pro-Pakistan slogans.
But top separatist leaders were absent, with authorities having placed many of them under house arrest.
On the outskirts of the heavily guarded city, police broke up half-a-dozen small protests by firing in the air and using tear gas. Police said they also used force in four other towns in the valley.
Banks, post offices, schools and offices were closed in Srinagar on Friday and there was little traffic.
The unrest was sparked by a state government decision last week to transfer some land to a Hindu trust for the construction of accommodation for tens of thousands of Hindu pilgrims making an annual pilgrimage to a mountain grotto.
Tensions are still high despite a promise by the state's chief minister that no construction activity would be permitted until further notice.
Kashmir Valley police chief SM Sahai said police were trying to talk to civic leaders in Srinagar 'so that normal situation could be restored as soon as possible.'
Insurgency-hit Kashmir is held in part by nuclear-armed India and Pakistan, but claimed by both in full, and has remained a sticking point in negotiations between the two. -- AFP
Srinigar @ top-lef centre.
