Curfew re-imposed in Kashmir

2010-10-08 14:12

Srinagar - Indian security forces re-imposed a curfew in parts of Indian Kashmir Friday after a hard-line separatist called for fresh protests against Indian rule.

A curfew was imposed in parts of Srinagar, the summer capital of Indian Kashmir, and some volatile towns in the northern districts of Baramulla and Kupwara, a police statement said.

The Muslim-majority Himalayan region has been wracked by demonstrations since June 11 after a police teargas shell killed a 17-year old student. Since then a total of 110 protesters and bystanders have been killed.

As violence spread, authorities slapped stringent curfews on most of the region, arrested activists and occasionally ordered the army on to the streets of Srinagar. The curfew was lifted early this week.

"We have re-imposed curfew to pre-empt violence after Friday prayers," a police officer said, asking not to be named.

Hard-line separatist Syed Ali Geelani, who has been spearheading the protests, has called upon residents to stage anti-India protests after Friday prayers.

There have been no major protests over the past 10 days after New Delhi took some measures to defuse local anger.

Sixteen security bunkers have been removed from Srinagar, 50 jailed protesters have been released and justice has been promised to the families of those killed during the unrest.

An anti-India insurgency in the part of Kashmir ruled by New Delhi has claimed an estimated 47 000 lives over the past 20 years.

- AFP