Kashmir capital sees undeclared curfew after boy's death

Srinagar, Kashmir - Authorities on Thursday imposed strict restrictions on movement in Srinagar, capital of India-administered Kashmir, as tensions escalated over the death of a teenage boy. Wamiq Farooq was hit on the head Sunday by a tear-gas shell fired by police during anti-India protests in the city.

The boy's death led to violent protests with crowds throwing stones at police and paramilitary personnel who fired tear-gas shells and carried out baton charges to disperse them.

At least a dozen protesters and several policemen were injured in the clashes Wednesday.

The condition of two young protesters injured by tear-gas shells remained critical, the IANS news agency reported, citing hospital sources.

Fearing further violence at a public ceremony called to mourn Wamiq's death, authorities imposed an undeclared curfew in the old quarters of Srinagar Thursday.

The movements of vehicles and pedestrians were restricted, and additional forces were deployed in the old city.

The authorities also banned gatherings of five or more people in Srinagar.

Two prominent separatist leaders, Shabir Shah and Naeem Khan of the moderate Hurriyat Conference, were taken into custody as a preventive measure, police said. Hurriyat chairman Mirwaiz Umer was already under house arrest.

Separatist groups had called for an indefinite shutdown from Tuesday over the boy's death.

The disputed Kashmir region has seen a violent secessionist movement, which peaked in the late 1980s.

The violence, in which more than 45,000 people - civilians, militants and security force personnel - have been killed, has decreased over the past couple of years.

But anti-India sentiments run deep in the region, and there are often flare-ups directed at security forces, who are present in large numbers.

Both India and Pakistan claim Kashmir, and it is divided into two parts administered by the two countries.

India has accused Pakistan of nurturing militancy in the region. Islamabad has denied the charge, calling the militants freedom fighters.

Source: Earth Times.
Link: http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/307475,kashmir-capital-sees-undeclared-curfew-after-boys-death.html.