Kashmir News

1 Killed As Police Clash With Kashmir Protesters. SRINAGAR: A student protester was killed and 20 people hurt on Sunday when Indian police opened fire to disperse thousands of Muslims demonstrating in revolt-hit Kashmir, police and witnesses said. The protesters, who attacked police with stones and bricks, were demonstrating against the arrest of several youths in the town of Baramulla, 55 kilometres (34 miles) north of summer capital Srinagar. “The police had to open fire to quell a violent demonstration,” an officer who declined to be named said. “One person died and 20 people were injured.” Thousands later joined the funeral procession of the dead man — an 18-year old science student — chanting “we want freedom” and “Allah is great”. In the past few months, Kashmir has witnessed the biggest pro-independence demonstrations since the separatist insurgency erupted in 1989. The protests have been met by a tough crackdown by Indian security forces. The recent protests were triggered by a row over a government donation of Kashmiri land to a Hindu pilgrimage trust and spiralled into anti-India demonstrations that left nearly 50 Muslim protesters dead. Police have been arresting people who took active part in the rallies ahead of state elections to be held between November 17 and December 24. Separatists spearheading the protests have called for a boycott of the polls. They argue Indian-held elections strengthen New Delhi’s hold over the region, which is held in part by Pakistan.