20 hurt in fresh anti-India protests in Kashmir
Saturday, 18 October 2008
SRINAGAR, Oct 17 (AFP): Twenty people were injured Friday when police fired teargas and used batons to disperse hundreds of protesters in disputed Indian Kashmir, police said.
The protesters poured on to the streets of the summer capital Srinagar after Friday prayers and chanted "We want freedom" and "Allah is great," witnesses said.
Police prevented them from marching to the city centre by firing teargas and charging at them with batons.
A committee of separatists and trade unions spearheading recent anti-India demonstrations in the Muslim-majority Kashmir valley had called upon the residents to hold "peaceful protests" after Friday prayers.
The police action sparked clashes as protesters retreated into narrow lanes and pelted police with stones and bricks.
"So far 20 people, including some policeman, have been injured," police officer Pervez Ahmed said.
The protesters poured on to the streets of the summer capital Srinagar after Friday prayers and chanted "We want freedom" and "Allah is great," witnesses said.
Police prevented them from marching to the city centre by firing teargas and charging at them with batons.
A committee of separatists and trade unions spearheading recent anti-India demonstrations in the Muslim-majority Kashmir valley had called upon the residents to hold "peaceful protests" after Friday prayers.
The police action sparked clashes as protesters retreated into narrow lanes and pelted police with stones and bricks.
"So far 20 people, including some policeman, have been injured," police officer Pervez Ahmed said.