Gunfire wounds 5 in Kashmir

Kashmiri protesters scamper away as a tear gas grenade explodes near them during a protest in Srinagar, the summer capital of Indian Kashmir, on Monday. (EPA)

By ASSOCIATED PRESS

SRINAGAR: Police opened fire with live rounds at rock-throwing Kashmiris on Monday, sparking violent street protests by hundreds in India's portion of the troubled Himalayan region, a police officer said. At least five people were wounded, one critically.

Police opened fire after residents in Srinagar, the main city in Indian Kashmir, attacked them with stones, an officer said on condition of anonymity as he was not authorized to talk to reporters.

However, local resident Hanief Ahmed said the shooting was unprovoked and officers targeted a group of men playing a board game outside. "There was no protest and police fired at them without any reason," Ahmed told The Associated Press.

Hundreds of people defied a curfew in Srinagar to demonstrate against Monday's shooting, chanting "Go India! Go back" and "We want freedom." Police also fired tear gas to disperse the crowd.

Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has questioned crowd-control tactics employed by security forces in Kashmir and ordered officials to use non-lethal measures to control demonstrations.

The protests in Kashmir have to be dealt with using "non-lethal, yet effective and more focused measures," Singh said last week.

Security forces also fired tear gas and warning shots in the air Monday in the southern town of Anantnag, where hundreds of residents held anti-India protests and clashed with police, the officer said. There were no reports of casualties.

Thousands of Kashmiri Muslims peacefully protested against Indian rule at several other places in the region after noon prayers at mosques. Protesters reject Indian sovereignty over Kashmir and want to form a separate country, or merge with Pakistan.

Comments

RAFIQ

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This is India. Even their Prime minister is accepting that they are using wrong and brutal methods on Kashmiris

SANUM

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What they will use for their own protection?

AJIT

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Why are the people throwing stones in the first place. They too are hurting some body. India or Pakistan, treatment to the stone throwers will be same if not harsher in Pakistan.

SANJEEV

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I think pM is right. Our army must not use extraordinary fire power against innocent, unarmed kashmiris. Security forces are trained for these situations and they have shields,they can use tear gases,water cannons. There is no reason for firing with automatic guns against stone throwing protestors.

UBAID

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Shut up Ajit.
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