Violent clashes between demonstrators and police

(11 Dec 2009) SHOTLIST
1. Various of protesters throwing stones at security, fire, smoke
2. Various of police running for cover as protesters throw stones at them UPSOUND: Explosion
3. Wide of policemen backing off, throwing stones at protesters running towards them
4. Police kneeling, throwing stones at protesters
5. Police kneeling, protesters throwing stones, police getting up
6. Wide of policeman firing tear gas shell, pan to protesters, explosion behind them from tear gas shell
7. Various of burning shops
8. Wide of firemen dousing flames
9. Top view of crowd of protesters
10. Senior separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani (wearing light brown cap) at protest march
STORYLINE
Hundreds of angry Kashmiris clashed with Indian troops on Friday, torching a checkpoint and hurling rocks after soldiers fired warning shots and tear gas and beat them with batons in the region's main city.
The protests in Srinagar were called by senior separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani to demand that Indian military and paramilitary troops leave the predominantly Muslim Himalayan region.
The demonstrators - chanting "We want freedom" and "Indian troops leave Kashmir" - were stopped by security forces, igniting violence that left at least seven protesters and four troops injured, said the region's top police official.
One of the protesters was critically wounded and being operated on in a hospital, the police official added.
The protests kept businesses and most government offices shut down across the city.
Some shops could be seen burning, although it was not immediately clear what caused the fire.
Thousands of people led by Geelani marched through Srinagar after Friday prayers demanding the withdrawal of Indian forces.
Officers fired shots in the air and used tear gas to clear protesters from roads leading to the city centre.
At least 30 people were injured in clashes with police, said an officer on condition of anonymity as he was not authorised to speak to media.
Anti-India sentiment runs deep in Kashmir, which is divided between predominantly Hindu India and Muslim-majority Pakistan and claimed in its entirety by both.
The South Asian neighbours have fought two of three wars over Kashmir since independence from Britain in 1947.
India has an estimated 700,000 soldiers in Kashmir to counter several militant groups that have fought Indian rule since 1989. More than 68,000 people, mostly civilians, have been killed in the uprising and subsequent Indian crackdown.

Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork
Twitter:   / ap_archive  
Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​
Instagram:   / apnews  


#Kashmir #Protest #Srinagar #Clashes
You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...