Violent clashes over anti-Islam movie disrupt life in Kashmir

Normal life in Kashmir valley on Tuesday was disrupted following violent clashes between the state police and hundreds of Kashmiri Muslim protestors during demonstrations over an anti-Islam movie produced in the US. Hundreds of youth raising pro-Islam and anti-US slogans took out a protest march from the old city towards the local United Nations building this morning.
The police tried to prevent the protesters from marching ahead which led to a clash between the police, CRPF (paramilitary) and the protesters. The youth, according to the police retaliated with stones triggering clashes which continued for sometime. The protestors set ablaze a government vehicle near deputy chief minister's official residence in Sangarmal shopping complex when police tried to prevent the agitators to march towards Lal Chowk, Srinagar, the summer capital of the Muslim majority state. Schools, shops, business establishments and fuel stations were closed due to the strike called by traders association and several religious groups including Karwan-e-Islam. The strike call was supported by separatist groups and their leaders-Hurriyat Conference headed by Syed Ali Geelani Shah, Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front and Kashmir High Court Bar Association as well. The valley wore a deserted look as public and private transport remained off the roads. Only a few private vehicles were seen plying on the roads. Peaceful protests against the movie were held in other parts of the valley, police said. -->