Stoking fresh tensions after 31 policemen were hurt in weekend clashes, police said.

Protester killed, 31 policemen hurt in Kashmir
Monday, 23 Aug, 2010


Heavily militarised Indian-administered Kashmir has been the scene of a deadly anti-India insurgency for the past two decades. — Photo by AFP

SRINAGAR: A protester wounded during clashes with Indian security forces in Kashmir died on Monday, stoking fresh tensions after 31 policemen were hurt in weekend clashes, police said.
The latest death brought to 63 the number of protesters and bystanders killed in two months of violent protests in the mainly Muslim region, most of them young men or teenagers shot dead by security forces.

The 28-year-old who died on Monday had been wounded during clashes in northern Baramulla district on August 14 and died in hospital, police said.

Residents said the death had led to new protests, where hundreds of people blocked the main highway in the dead man's village of Singhpora.

The scenic Kashmir region has been under rolling curfews to contain deadly protests that were sparked by the killing June 11 of a teenage student in Srinagar by a police teargas shell.

Anti-India demonstrations at five places in southern Pulwama district late Sunday left 31 policemen injured, including the district police chief, police said. One protester was also hurt.

Heavily militarised Indian-administered Kashmir has been the scene of a deadly anti-India insurgency for the past two decades.

Many commentators attribute the latest protests to frustration among the young generation because of deadlock in talks about the status of disputed Kashmir and high unemployment.

The government in New Delhi has suggested unrest is being whipped up by separatists and militants.

Tags: kashmir issue