Indian forces have killed a pro-independence protester in Indian-controlled Kashmir, officials say.
The young man was hit by a tear gas canister in his chest in the clashes with Indian police in Srinagar, the disputed regions main city, on Sunday, but succumbed to his wounds later at a hospital, a police official said on condition of anonymity.
At least 70 more civilians were also injured, including four women, during a number of other clashes in the northern areas of Sopore, Baramulla and Ganderbal, as government forces attacked hundreds of demonstrators in an attempt to stop them from holding protests.
Police also used shotguns and pellet guns against angry protesters, who responded by throwing stones.
Clashes erupted in Kashmir on July 8, when people protested against the killing of Burhan Wani, a popular pro-independence fighter, by Indian forces.
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Indian paramilitary troopers stand guard during a curfew in the Batmaloo area of Srinagar, on August 17, 2016. (AFP)[/caption]Since then, numerous protests have been held in the Muslim-majority region. Most of the demonstrations have turned violent as Indian police embarked on dispersing demonstrators with bullets, pellets, tear gas and baton.
Over the past 44 days, at least 65 civilians have been killed and more than 6,000 others wounded in the clashes. Two policemen have also lost their lives and hundreds of other government forces sustained injuries.
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Kashmiri protesters shout pro-freedom and anti-India slogans during a protest in Srinagar, on August 19, 2016. (AFP)[/caption]New Delhi has imposed a curfew across large parts of the Muslim-majority territory since July and tens of thousands of Indian armed police and paramilitary soldiers in full riot gear are currently deployed in the restive region to restore order.
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Kashmiri protesters shout pro-freedom and anti-Indian slogans during a protest in Srinagar, on August 19, 2016. (AFP)[/caption]Kashmiri protesters shout pro-freedom and anti-Indian slogans during a protest in Srinagar, on August 19, 2016. (AFP)Since India and Pakistan won independence from British rule in 1947, the arch-rivals have claimed Kashmir in full but have had only partial control over it. The two countries agreed to a ceasefire in Kashmir on November 26, 2003, and launched a peace process the following year.
Since then, however, there have been sporadic clashes, with the two sides trading accusations of violating the ceasefire along their de facto border dividing the disputed region.
By Press TV
