Police fire tear gas to quell anti-India protests in Kashmir

Tensions in Kashmir, territory claimed by both Pakistan and India, have been high since an Indian court recently upheld a 1932 law prohibiting the slaughter of cows, regarded by Hindus as a scared animal, although the law has never been seriously enforced.

“Reports of clashes came in from Srinagar and south Kashmir”, Inspector General of Police (Kashmir) SJM Gilani told ET. Although there has been no official word on suspension of internet services on cell phones from either the service providers or the government, highly-placed sources in state intelligence confirmed to IANS that these service will remain suspended for two days beginning Friday morning. There are well-founded fears of communal violence erupting in the state. All the services like snap 3G, 2G, GPRS, lease line and broadband services on September 25 and 26 to control the situation in the wake of beef controversy.

Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Yasin Malik, Sabhir Shah and many other separatist leaders were put under house arrest, the officer said, adding the decision to impose restriction on their movement was taken in view of the law and order problems.

Eid was celebrated with gaiety in Jammu region also with members of other communities exchanging greetings with Muslims on the occasion. Still, hundreds participated in protest processions in Anantnag, Srinagar and Baramullah districts immediately after the Eid prayers.

This was the first time in over two decades that there were no pro-Azadi slogans during Eid rallies in Jammu.

The order was met with anguish and resentment in Kashmir with civil society groups and the Hurriyat people terming it as “interference in religion”.