60 hurt as Indian police attack Muharram mourners

Published: December 27, 2009

SRINAGAR (Reuters) - At least 60 mourners were injured on Saturday when police used batons, firing in the air and tear gas to break up a procession by hundreds of Shias in Indian-held Kashmir’s main city, officials said.
“More than 50 people were also detained,” police officer Ali Mohammad said. Saturday’s procession in Srinagar was headed by members of Ittihad-ul-Muslimeen Jammu Kashmir, part of the All Parties Hurriyat (Freedom) Conference. Stone-throwing demonstrators clashed with police in several parts of Srinagar after the procession was stopped, forcing police to fire tear gas shells, witnesses said.
The mourners were beating their chests with their fists.
“We strongly condemn the police brutality,” said Moulana Abbas Ansari, a leading Shia priest and chief of Ittihad-ul-Muslimeen. The injured included at least six photojournalists, police said.

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