 SRINAGAR - Shops and businesses were closed in Indian KashmirÂ’s main city on Tuesday following a strike called by separatists to protest against what they said was the desecration of a Koran and a mosque by Indian soldiers. Two people have been killed and 24 wounded since the weekend after security forces opened fire on crowds angered by reports soldiers entered a mosque wearing shoes in Kupwara district, 85 km (50 miles) northwest of Srinagar. The troops are also said to have damaged a copy of the Islamic holy book in the mosque in Zirhama village.
| Nobody saw any of this, of course, but that doesn't matter. |
Streets in Srinagar, Indian KashmirÂ’s summer capital, were deserted after the All Parties Hurriyat Conference, an alliance of separatist groups, called for a shutdown. Police said at least 20 Hurriyat activists were detained when they tried to hold a protest march in Srinagar against the alleged desecration of the mosque.
| "Yeah, yeah, so somebody wore shoes. Into the paddywagon wit yez!" |
“The behaviour of Indian troops is contradictory to the recent statement of Indian Prime Minister who assured that there would be zero tolerance for any kind of human rights violation in Kashmir,” the Hurriyat said in a statement.
Indian authorities have denied the charges of desecration and have ordered an investigation. Officials in Kupwara have imposed a curfew. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh during a trip to the disputed region last month said security forces must be humane and operate strictly according to the law. |