Srinagar, Kashmir - Four people died and dozens were injured
as protestors defied a curfew and clashed with police Wednesday in
India-administered Kashmir.
In Baramulla town, 50 kilometres north of state capital Srinagar,
protestors took to the streets and burned a military ambulance.
'Several people were injured as the police had to resort to caning
and firing tear gas to disperse angry protestors,' a government
official said on condition of anonymity.
'One of the protestors, a girl, was seriously injured and is being
treated at a government hospital,' he added.
Protests erupted Monday after a Muslim woman complained of
'harassment' at a police station where she had gone to lodge a
complaint.
The death toll rose to four as a youth died in hospital Tuesday
night from injuries sustained during a demonstration.
On Tuesday night, state Chief Minister Omar Abdullah issued orders
to pull out the paramilitary Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) from
Baramulla, making it the first town in the Muslim-majority state to
have no federal forces.
The CRPF has faced criticism for its handling of the protests and
the state government is under intense pressure to use the reserves to
combat militants instead of maintaining law and order.
In a related development, a general strike called by separatist
leaders disrupted life in state capital Srinagar and other towns.
The shutdown, which is expected to continue till Thursday, saw
most schools, shops and businesses closed in Srinagar and other towns.
India-administered Kashmir has already witnessed violent protests
over the suspected rape and murder of two women whose bodies were
found last month.
State authorities rejected allegations by family members that the
perpetrators were security forces personnel. Medical tests later
confirmed the women had been raped.
Large numbers of soldiers have been deployed to check attacks in
the state, which has seen a separatist militancy since the 1980s.
Local residents and human rights groups have often accused the police
and troops of human rights violations.
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