India/Kashmir

Fifteen injured on sixth day of protests

Article published on the 2008-06-28 Latest update 2008-06-28 13:41 TU

Police throw stones back at protestors in Srinagar
(Photo: Reuters)

Police and residents report that 15 people have been injured during a sixth day of stormy protests in Kashmir, India's only Muslim-majority state. Riot police used teargas and fired into the air to disperse demonstrators in the main city, Srinagar, which has been shut down for nearly a week. Thousands marched through the city on Saturday, shouting "we want freedom" and "we will not allow the sale of Kashmir".

Shops, offices and banks remain shut for the sixth consecutive day and government buildings have been attacked. Three Kashmiris have been killed by police fire this week and over 250 have been injured in fighting.

Tens of thousands hit the streets on Friday in the biggest protests for decades. They are similar to those which erupted after armed rebellion against Indian rule started in 1989.

This week's unrest was sparked by a state government decision to transfer land to a Hindu trust which wants to build accommodation for tens of thousands of Hindu pilgrims who make an annual visit to a grotto in the region.

That sparked fears that the government wants to swamp the Muslim population with Hindus.

Srinagar correspondent Shamin Meray says that the movement appears not to be organised.

"There has been no formal call given for any protest or any shutdown but it is becoming like a people’s movement," he told RFI. "No leader is leading this movement. These are spontaneous protests that are popping up all across Kashmir in every district, in every part of Srinagar."

The state's Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad says that no building will be allowed until further notice.

Kashmir was divided between India and Pakistan when British rule ended. It will be high on the agenda at a new round of peace talks between the two countries scheduled to start on 21 July.