Government forces fired tear gas and swung batons to disperse scores of rock-throwing protesters who broke through security cordons to hold pro-independence demonstrations in the Indian-administered Kashmir on Friday, police said. There were no immediate reports of injuries. Thousands of troops in riot gear prevented people from reaching Jamia Masjid, the main mosque in the disputed region's largest city, Srinagar, where separatist leaders planned a rally after Friday's noon prayers, area residents said. The demonstration was to honor tens of thousands of Muslims who were killed in clashes with Hindus on Nov. 6, 1947, within months of India and Pakistan gaining independence from Britain. Only small groups of protesters took to the streets at two places in Srinagar, the summer capital of India's Jammu-Kashmir state, a police officer said on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to reporters. “Soldiers are patrolling everywhere and are telling us to stay indoors as curfew has been imposed in the city,” said Shakeel Ahmed, a Srinagar resident. Separatist leaders Maulvi Abbas Ansari, Sajjad Gani Lone, Bilal Gani Lone and the High Court Bar Association president, Mian Abdul Qayoom, were placed under house arrest to prevent them from participating in the protests, Srinivas said. On Thursday, government forces foiled planned street protests by erecting steel barricades and laying razor wire on roads. Most residents stayed home, and shops, businesses and government offices were shuttered. Mirwaiz Omer Farooq, a key separatist leader now under house arrest, urged people to boycott local elections announced by the Indian government. Voting starts Nov. 17 and will be held in seven phases running through Dec. 24.
