Two dozen hurt in fresh IHK clashes

SRINAGAR (AFP) - Police used batons and teargas to break up fresh anti-India protests in Occupied Kashmir on Friday, with more than two dozen people injured in the clashes.
The injuries were reported in the summer capital Srinagar and the northern town of Baramulla as riot police sought to disperse thousands of stone-throwing protesters who had defied a ban on demonstrations. In all 20 protesters and four policemen were hurt, one police officer said. Two news photographers covering the protests were also injured.
The valley has witnessed a series of protests since the deaths last month of two young women who, local residents charge, were raped and murdered by members of the Indian security forces.
This week the alleged harassment of a woman by police in Baramulla sparked more angry demonstrations that have so far left four protesters dead.
Fridays violence began after thousands of Muslims chanting we want freedom and blood for blood emerged from the main mosque in Srinagar after Friday prayers.
In Baramulla, thousands marched through the streets before police beat them back by charging them with batons and firing teargas.