12 Sep 2010

Thousands at anti-India rallies in Kashmir

10:17 am on 12 September 2010

Tens of thousands of people across Indian-administered Kashmir have joined protests against Indian rule.

The demonstrations began after prayers to celebrate the Islamic festival of Eid, which marks the end of Ramadan.

The BBC reports a government building and a police checkpoint were set on fire in separate rallies in the city of Srinagar.

The demonstrators carried green Islamic flags and chanted slogans demanding autonomy and freedom.

Police fired warning shots and tear gas to disperse the protesters who attacked the police checkpoint near the Hazrat Bal shrine on the outskirts of Srinagar on Saturday, and burned the nearby offices of the state police force and the electricity department.

Officials said at least seven civilians and six police officers were injured.