Kashmiri protesters defy restrictions, clash with Indian security forces

Posters appeared overnight in Srinagar, the summer capital of Indian-administered Kashmir, calling for a march to the local office of the United Nations

At least 152 people have been hurt by tear gas and pellets since security forces launched their crackdown in the Muslim-majority region earlier this month

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Kashmiris run for cover as smoke rises from tear gas shells fired by Indian security forces during clashes in Srinagar. Photo: Reuters

Published: 12:32pm, 24 Aug 2019Updated: 10:56pm, 24 Aug 2019

Security forces used tear gas against stone-throwing local residents in Indian-administered Kashmir’s main city of Srinagar on Friday, after a third straight week of protests in the restive Soura district despite the imposition of tight restrictions.

Paramilitary police tried to enter Soura, which has emerged as a centre of the protests, as hundreds of locals staged a protest march against Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s decision to withdraw autonomy for Jammu and Kashmir on August 5.

Protesters shout anti-India slogans and wave the flag of Pakistan-administered Kashmir in the Soura district of Srinagar on Friday. Photo: AFP

Posters appeared overnight this week in Srinagar, the Muslim-majority region’s main city, calling for a march to the office of the UN Military Observer Group for India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP), to protest against India’s decision.

This was the first such call by separatists seeking Kashmir’s secession from India. India’s move was accompanied by travel and communication restrictions in Kashmir that are still largely in place, although some landlines were restored last week.

The UNMOGIP was set up in 1949 after the first war between India and Pakistan over Kashmir, a Himalayan region both countries claim in full but rule in part. The group monitors ceasefire violations along the border between the countries.