"Thousands demand independence in Indian Kashmir
SRINAGAR, India (AP) — Thousands of Muslims poured into the streets of Kashmir on Thursday, demanding independence from India hours after archival Pakistan called on the United Nations to stop what it characterized as gross human rights violations in the divided Himalayan region.
More than six weeks of unrest in India's part of Kashmir have pitted the region's Muslim majority against its Hindu minority and left at least 34 people dead, many of them protesters shot during violent clashes with police and soldiers. Villages have been attacked, police stations torched and, in at least one town, security forces have been ordered to shoot on sight any protesters violating a curfew.
There are also growing fears that the violence could drive a wedge between Hindus and Muslims in other parts of India.
And CUI BONO?
The latest protests, which began overnight in Srinagar and continued Thursday, were sparked by a rumor that security forces were breaking into houses and beating up women and children.
People in Srinagar — a mountain town once famed for its cool summer weather and the houseboats that ply the lake in its center — responded by the thousands, pouring into the streets and chanting "Long Live Pakistan!" and "We Want Independence!"
Then GIVE IT to them!!!
Meanwhile, two international human rights groups — Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International — demanded in separate statements that India stop police and soldiers from using guns against protesters unless the officers lives were being threatened.
Where are the US condemnations?
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