People power demos continue in Kashmir

Massive demonstrations have been held in Indian-administered Kashmir for the third consecutive day over the killing of a second teenage boy in one week.

On Sunday, hundreds of people took to the streets in Kashmir’s summer capital Srinagar despite a protest ban in the region.

The demonstrators also threw stones at a motorcade of a senior minister of the Jammu and Kashmir state government who had gone to meet the bereaved family, AFP reported.

Witnesses say 16-year-old Zahid Farooq was killed on Friday when police opened fire on a group of youth without provocation.

The government has banned the assembly of more than four people in Srinagar and some other major towns in Kashmir.

Residents of downtown Srinagar have complained that medicines and food stocks are being depleted since they have been under a strict curfew for several days.

Separatist leaders say the international community should hold the Indian security forces accountable for human rights violations in Kashmir.

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.