SRINAGAR , India, Sept. 25 (UPI) — Clashes between rock-throwing protesters and tear-gas wielding police over an Internet ban in India-controlled Kashmir injured at least 12 Friday.
Protesters in Srinagar and other cities were angered by a 40-hour closure of Internet access and the recent arrest of four Muslim and separatist leaders, who were detained at the end of prayers noting the Muslim holy day of Eid al-Fitr.
The Internet ban came after some Muslim leaders suggested the ritual slaying of cows to mark Eid, a holy day involving the breaking of a fast, be uploaded to the Internet.
Tensions in Kashmir, territory claimed by both Pakistan and India, have been high since an Indian court recently upheld a 1932 law prohibiting the slaughter of cows, regarded by Hindus as a scared animal, although the law has never been seriously enforced. The area of Kashmir administered by India is largely Muslim.
Internet services across Kashmir stopped Friday morning and were scheduled to be suspended for two days.
Among those arrested, further provoking anger in Kashmir, was Miriwais Omar Farooq, who was to lead Srinagar’s Eid prayers, and separatist leaders Syed Ali Gilani and Yasin Malik.
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