WORLD> Asia-Pacific
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WORLD> Asia-Pacific
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Indian troops arrest key leaders in Kashmir
(Agencies)
Updated: 2008-08-25 14:04 The region has been in turmoil for almost two months, and the unrest has left at least 34 people dead, mainly protesters. Central Reserve Police Force spokesman Prabhakar Tripathi said troops were forced to open fire Sunday after they were surrounded by protesters. A witness, however, said the soldiers had fired on a man and his son without any provocation. Mohammed Ismail said his neighbors, Ghulam Qadir and his son, were just standing near the entrance to their home when they were fired upon. The curfew extended past Srinagar and clashes between thousands of protesters and police in Baramullah, a town 35 miles (55 kilometers) north, left at least 27 people injured. The crisis began in June when Muslims over the land transfer plan, which they said was actually a settlement plan meant to alter the religious balance in the region. After the plan was rescinded, Hindus took to the streets of Jammu, a predominantly Hindu city, demanding it be restored. Kashmir has been divided between India and Pakistan since 1948. Separatist movements in the disputed region were mostly peaceful until 1989, when the movements gave rise to a bloody Islamic insurgency that wants to see India's part of the region merged with Pakistan or given independence. At least 68,000 people have been killed in the fighting. |
