Several injured in protests in Indian Kashmir

Nov 7, 2011, 13:45 GMT

New Delhi - More than 30 people were injured in clashes between security forces and stone-throwing youths in India- administered Kashmir on Monday, a news report said.

The violence broke out in the Anantnag and Sopore towns as well as state capital Srinagar soon after prayers for the Muslim festival of Eid al-Adha, the IANS news agency reported.

The clashes in Anantnag, some 50 kilometres south of Srinagar erupted after groups of youth were not allowed to hold a rally, local news reports said.

Police used batons and tear gas to disperse the protestors who shouted anti-India slogans.

Six police officers, four constables and eight protestors were injured in the clashes, a local police official told the IANS.

None of those wounded suffered serious injuries, the report said.

Similar clashes were reported from Srinagar and north Kashmir's Sopore town where 10 security personnel and four protesters were injured in the violence.

Strong anti-India sentiment in Muslim-majority Kashmir often pits protestors against security forces, who are present in large numbers to control a secessionist movement that peaked in the late 1980s.

India accuses neighbouring Pakistan of aiding Kashmiri militants. Islamabad denies the charge, but calls the militants freedom fighters. The disputed region is divided into parts administered by each nation.

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