News
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Thousands defy curfew in Indian-held Kashmir
SRINAGAR: Thousands of residents defied a strict curfew in Indian-held Kashmir (IHK) on Friday, prompting police to fire rubber bullets and lob tear gas shells, as fresh rebel attacks injured two policemen, officials said.
In Baramulla, over 4,000 residents flouted a curfew, prompting police to fire rubber bullets, release teargas and swing batons, officers said, adding that nine policemen and 11 protesters were injured in the ensuing clashes.
Authorities arrested 60 suspected separatist activists during overnight raids by police and paramilitary soldiers.
At least 30 activists who had participated in recent street demonstrations were arrested in Anantnag, a police officer said on condition of anonymity.
He said at least 30 others were arrested in Srinagar and other towns.
Police and protesters also clashed in southern Kakpora town after hundreds of villagers defied the curfew and were blocked by police from marching on the main road, police said, adding that 12 policemen and eight protesters were injured.
The clashes came even as Indian security forces widened a curfew in IHK on Friday to contain violent protests over the killing of civilians.
“We have widened the curfew to ensure a violence-free Friday,” a police officer, who declined to be named, told AFP.
Five more towns were placed under fresh curfew. Violent flashpoints such as Sopore, Srinagar and Anantnag remain restricted.
In Sopore, suspected militants launched three gun-and-grenade attacks on security forces on Friday that left a policeman and a paramilitary trooper injured, a police spokesman said. afp
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk