Indefinite curfew imposed Kashmir

24/08/2008| IslamWeb

The authorities in Indian-administered Kashmir have imposed an indefinite curfew throughout the Kashmir Valley.

It comes amid continuing protests by the Muslim majority population.

The valley is paralyzed by a three-day strike called by separatist groups, who want an end to Indian rule, and a rally is planned in Srinagar on Monday.

Shops, banks, schools and most government offices throughout the Kashmir valley are closed, and there is very little traffic on the roads.

The strike began on Saturday, a day after a huge separatist rally and violence in which 15 were killed in a gun battle.

The strikers want a referendum which they hope will lead to self-determination for people of the region.

On Friday, hundreds of thousands of Muslims took part in a protest rally.

The death toll from an overnight gun battle with militants near the Line of Control - the de facto border dividing Kashmir between India and Pakistan - rose to 15, the army said.

"The fighting that is still raging has so far left 12 militants and three soldiers dead, including a colonel," Indian army spokesman Lt Col Anil Kumar Mathur told AFP news agency.

Three soldiers were critically wounded during the battle, the fiercest this year in Kashmir, he added.

Hindu shrine

Anti-Indian sentiment has grown following a dispute over the granting of land to a Hindu shrine organization.

More than 21 people died last week in the valley after police fired on protesters.

PHOTO CAPTION

Kashmiri Muslims on motorbikes carry Islamic flags and shout pro-freedom slogans during a general strike in Srinagar, 23 August 2008.

BBC