Clashes in Indian-administered Kashmir injure several

Clashes in Indian-administered Kashmir injure several

2011-11-08 08:07:24 GMT+7 (ICT)

SRINAGAR (BNO NEWS) -- Several people were injured on Monday when clashes broke out between police and youths in at least two locations in Indian-administered Kashmir, police said.

Clashes erupted after prayers were held for the Muslim festival of Eid al-Adha in the towns of Anantnag and Sopore. Several people were injured when police tried to prevent a large group of teenage boys from staging a protest rally, the Press Trust of India reported.

In Anantnag, protesters chanted anti-India and pro-freedom slogans and threw stones at security forces, who retaliated with tear gas canisters. Several people, including two policemen, were injured in the clash.

In Sopore, youths started throwing stones when police attempted to confront the rally. As a result, police officers fired tear gas canisters and used batons to disperse the crowd, injuring several protesters.

The mostly Muslim Kashmir region frequently witnesses anti-government demonstrations and clashes. A guerrilla war is still ongoing between militants and the Indian troops stationed in Kashmir, which is divided into parts administered by India and Pakistan.

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