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Indian police break up Kashmir protests
07 Jul 2007 11:50:12 GMT
Source: Reuters
SRINAGAR, India, July 7 (Reuters) - Indian police fired tear gas in Kashmir's main city to break up angry demonstrations on Saturday, a day after a teenage boy was killed and 21 people wounded in protests over alleged human rights abuses by troops.

Police and witnesses said hundreds of people, shouting "We want freedom, Indian forces go back", clashed with police in several parts of Srinagar, Kashmir's summer capital,

"The angry mobs pelted police with stones and police used tear smoke to disperse them," a police official said.

He said protesters also burned tyres and forced shops to close in old parts of the city.

On Friday, police fired in the air and used tear gas to quell protests and the 17-year-old boy died after being hit in the head by a tear gas shell. That killing sparked Saturday's protests.

Indian police and soldiers in Kashmir have been accused of being heavy handed in dealing with protesters.

They have also been accused of raping or molesting women as well as murdering innocent civilians in staged gun battles and then passing the victims off as separatist militants.

The army says it investigates allegations of human rights violations and takes strict action if any of its personnel are found guilty.

The recent wave of protests started after a civilian was killed and another wounded when a soldier fired at angry villagers who tried to seize him while he was reportedly cuddling a Muslim girl. The soldier later shot himself dead.

Officials say more than 42,000 people have been killed since a revolt against Indian rule broke out in the Muslim-majority region in 1989. Human rights groups put the toll at 60,000.
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A social activist belonging to "Pakistan-India People's Forum for Peace and Democracy", a forum for citizens, holds a placard during a demonstration in front of the historical Gateway of India on the eve of India 60th Independence day in Mumbai August 14, 2007. The activists took a pledge to "fight for a nuclear-free, visa-free South Asia".



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