11-27-2006, 06:22 AM
<b>J&K separatists come to blows </b><!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->Rocks, punches, chairs and abuses flew thick as hundreds of furious supporters of Kashmir's independence clashed on Sunday with pro-Pakistan rivals on a street in Srinagarâin one of the biggest-ever public showdowns between the two ideologies.
Sixteen peopleâincluding 12 civilians and four policemenâwere injured and top separatist leader Yasin Malik, who supports freedom for Kashmir, was holed up in a building surrounded by hundreds of pro-Pakistan rioters until Sunday evening, local police officer Farooq Ahmed said.
However, the tally of injured could be higher as the street fights lasted for hours. An HT reporter saw terrified people rushing out of the area into narrow alleys, some holding their bloodied faces. Photographers were warned not to take pictures and witnesses said some of them were beaten up.
...............<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Sixteen peopleâincluding 12 civilians and four policemenâwere injured and top separatist leader Yasin Malik, who supports freedom for Kashmir, was holed up in a building surrounded by hundreds of pro-Pakistan rioters until Sunday evening, local police officer Farooq Ahmed said.
However, the tally of injured could be higher as the street fights lasted for hours. An HT reporter saw terrified people rushing out of the area into narrow alleys, some holding their bloodied faces. Photographers were warned not to take pictures and witnesses said some of them were beaten up.
...............<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->