Hundreds of Muslims defied curfews in Indian occupied Kashmir (IoK) on Monday and overnight to hold protests against a group of Christians who tore up pages of the Quran in Washington, police said. "Death to the US" and "Death to Quran desecrators" chanted the protestors in the main city of Srinagar and neighbouring areas, residents said. The protests erupted after local television showed a small group of protesters tearing apart pages from the Quran outside the White House on Saturday, the anniversary of the September 11 attacks on the United States. Night-long demonstrations were also held in Srinagar's neighbouring districts of Budgam and Baramulla, with people blocking roads and reading pages from the Islamic Holy book, police and witnesses said. "This is a despicable act. The perpetuators should be punished for hurting the sentiments of Muslims," leading cleric and liberation leader Aga Syed Hassan siad."We will not take it lying down. We will continue our protests," he said.