Asia-Pacific

Police issue shoot-on-sight orders in Kashmir

(Agencies)
Updated: 2010-09-15 10:19

A Kashmiri protester runs for cover during an anti-India protest in Srinagar September 14, 2010. [Agencies]

SRINAGAR, India -- Indian police patrolled the streets of Kashmir on Tuesday, threatening to shoot anyone defying a rigid curfew imposed in the disputed region a day after 19 people died in battles between troops and protesters.

The Himalayan region has been wracked by anti-India protests throughout the summer, but the chaos Monday, exacerbated by reports of a Quran desecration in the United States, was the deadliest since large-scale demonstrations began in June.

Anger at India runs deep in Kashmir. The mainly Muslim protesters reject rule by Hindu-dominated India and want independence or a merger with predominantly Muslim Pakistan.

In an attempt to prevent another round of violence, police and paramilitary soldiers drove through the deserted streets of the area's main towns, using loudspeakers to announce that curfew violators would be shot on sight.

Authorities suspended all flights to Indian-controlled Kashmir's main city, Srinagar, because of security fears, a police officer said, speaking on condition of anonymity because he wasn't authorized to release the information.

People carry the body of Nisar Ahamad Kuchay, a Kashmiri youth, during his funeral in Humhama on the outskirts of Srinagar, September 13, 2010. [Agencies]

But scores of demonstrators took to the streets of Baramulla, north of Srinagar, and hurled rocks at police. Soldiers retaliated by firing shots in the air and launching tear gas shells, wounding three protesters, said another police officer, again speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to talk to the media.

In overnight protests, demonstrators set fire to a police vehicle in Charar-e-Sharief, 30 miles (45 kilometers) southwest of Srinagar.

In Zainakote, a village near Srinagar, paramilitary soldiers fired at curfew-defying protesters, wounding at least two Tuesday. More clashes erupted in the village after the shooting, the police officer said.

In Tangmarg, which was rocked by massive protests Monday, nearly three dozen people were arrested in the wake of the violence, said a police officer, also on condition of anonymity. Town residents said about 30 men were missing since the clashes with police.

A Kashmiri protester gestures towards Indian policemen during an anti-India protest in Srinagar September 14, 2010. [Agencies]