1000s take to the streets in Kashmir

Thousands of people have taken to the streets of Indian-administered Kashmir following the death of a Kashmiri at the hands of Indian security forces.

On Wednesday, the protestors shouted pro-independence slogans and burned tires on the outskirts of the summer capital Srinagar.

The spontaneous demonstrations were held after the police killed another Kashmiri.

The latest incident brings the death toll to 59 during two months of unrest in the mainly Muslim region.

In addition to the fatalities, about one thousand people have been injured and brought to hospitals for treatment so far, the Press TV correspondent in Srinagar reported.

There have been almost daily demonstrations against Indian rule in the region since June, when security forces killed a teenage protestor.

Government forces have responded by imposing curfews and restrictions on the movement of people.

The Kashmiri people have accused the Indian police of opening fire on peaceful demonstrators and bystanders during the unrest. Most of the victims were young men.

Kashmir lies at the heart of more than 60 years of hostility between India and Pakistan. Both countries claim the region in full but have partial control over it.

Despite the risks, it seems the Kashmiris are determined to continue their “people power” movement.

Political analysts say the frequent street protests of the past two years are giving new life to the Kashmir liberation struggle.

Over the past two decades, the conflict in Kashmir has left over 47,000 people dead by the official count, although other sources say the death toll could be as high as 90,000.