India

PM Singh challenges Pakistan on Independence Day, protests in Kashmir go on

Article published on the 2008-08-15 Latest update 2008-08-19 13:20 TU

Playing with fire - the Indian police motorcycle daredevil team performs at Independence Day celebrations in Srinagar
(Photo: Reuters)

India's Prime Minister used his Independence Day address to tell Pakistan to rein in "terrorism" if it wants bilateral relations to continue to improve. In the disputed state of Kashmir, Muslim protests against Delhi-rule continued as celebrations went ahead protected by tight security. Police were out in force in Mumbai, too, ready for a repeat of bombings that hit the country last month.

"If this issue of terrorism is not addressed, all good intentions that we have for our two peoples to live in peace and harmony will be negated," Singh said in his annual address on the 61st anniversary of independence.

Referring to Delhi's claims that Pakistan's secret services were involved with the bombing of its embassy in Kabul, Singh said that the attack "cast a shadow over our efforts to normalise ties with Pakistan".

Earlier Joint Police Commissioner SN Srivastava said that the authorities had intelligence of "extremist groups planning to target prominent leaders and symbols of national importance".

Tens of thousands of police, paramilitaries and commandos were on the streets of Delhi and in the major business hub, Mumbai, where they feared a repeat of last month's attacks in Ahmedabad and Bangalore.

Kashmiri Muslim protesters confront an Indian police officer during a protest in Srinagar
(Photo: Reuters)

There was heavy security in Indian-run Kashmir, too, as official celebrations took place while the majority-Muslim population observed a "black day", a tradition in the region since 1989's launch of a revolt against Indian control.

There were more demonstrations today, following a series of massive protests recently. Clashes with police have cost 22 lives and hundreds of injuries this week.