Police fired tear gas and chilli spray grenades to disperse thousands of mourners taking part in a funeral procession for a youth who died on Saturday after being run over by a paramilitary vehicle in Indian held Kashmir. Protesters hurled back stones at Indian security forces in the latest outbreak of violence in the divided region's main city, occupied Srinagar. At least four demonstrators were injured, according to police and eyewitnesses.
"There were some incidents of stone pelting in downtown but our (policemen) exhibited restraint and used minimum force," Kashmir police inspector general of police S.P. Pani told AFP. Kaiser Bhat, 21, died in hospital after being hit by a Central Reserve Paramilitary Force vehicle near the city's Central Mosque on Friday during a demonstration against alleged police violence.
A video that allegedly shows the paramilitary vehicle hitting protesters has been widely shared on social media. It shows scores of protesters throwing rocks at a lone vehicle as it races towards a crowd. Other images show two youths under the vehicle, one crying for help. Officials said the driver has been charged with dangerous driving, while two other youths hit by the vehicle were still being treated.
"We have taken a strong note of yesterday's incident and will take strict action," S P Vaid, director general of Kashmir police, told AFP. Authorities cut mobile internet services and put reinforced patrols on the streets Saturday, while Kashmiri political groups opposed to Indian rule called for a general strike.
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