Strike, security lockdown shuts Kashmir

10 years ago | Posted in: Latest Politics News | 595 Views

SRINAGAR, India: Parts of Indian-controlled Kashmir remained under curfew Thursday, while general strikes were being staged in other areas after government forces fatally shot a man during an anti-India protest.
Government forces drove through neighborhoods in old quarters of Srinagar, the main city in the disputed Himalayan region, and ordered residents to stay indoors early Thursday. Shops and businesses also were closed after separatists who reject India’s sovereignty ordered a strike.
Thousands of police and paramilitary soldiers in riot gear and carrying automatic rifles patrolled streets to stop any protests.
However, clashes erupted in the towns of Bandipora and Budgam as scores of people chanting slogans “We want freedom” and “Down with India” threw rocks at police on Thursday, a police officer said, speaking on customary condition of anonymity.
Troops fired tear gas to quell the protests, the officer said. No one was reported injured.
Tensions are high in Kashmir as India holds a general election, which is being held in phases over several weeks.
Authorities have rounded up the region’s top separatist leaders along with nearly 700 students and activists in a bid to prevent protests or violence during the voting. But the crackdown has not stopped anti-India demonstrations and clashes…. see more 

source: arabnews

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