India

Tens of thousands in Kashmir call for independence

Article published on the 2008-08-18 Latest update 2008-08-19 05:51 TU

Kashmiri Muslims gather to listen to their leaders during a march in Srinagar.
(Photo: Reuters)

Tens of thousands of Muslims gathered in the streets of Indian Kashmir’s main city Monday, calling on the United Nations to recognise the region’s right of self-determination.

In the biggest demonstration in decades, families marched towards the local UN office in Srinagar expressing their outrage after Indian police fired on protesters last week, killing 22.

Kashmiri separatist leader Shabir Shah said the demonstrators would deliver a plea to the UN calling for intervention after the deaths of “peaceful protesters”.

The unrest began two months ago when a small piece of land was given to a Hindu trust. People in the majority-Muslim region reacted with protests that turned violent. The government then rescinded the land decision, sparking Hindu counter-protests.

The disputed Kashmir region has been a flash point of conflict in Hindu-majority India for decades. UN security council resolutions dating back decades call for a referendum on self-determination in the region, but these calls have never been heeded.