Curfew in Kashmir after civilian death

SRINAGAR: Security forces enforced a strict curfew in Kashmir on Friday after a 55-year-old man died of injuries his family claims were sustained during a beating by troops.

Police said a case had been opened after the family of the man accused security forces of kicking him and beating him with sticks in southern Pampore town last week.

A police statement said the man died in hospital in Indian Kashmir's main town of Srinagar on Friday, forcing authorities to impose a strict curfew in Pampore, parts of Srinagar and other major towns.

Kashmir has been in the grip of deadly protests against Indian rule since early June that have left some 111 protesters and bystanders dead.

Since the protests intensified, Kashmir has been under rolling curfews to avoid deadly clashes and prevent protesters from assembling.

Restrictions have been rigid on Fridays to prevent Muslims from staging protests after congregational Friday prayers.

Muslim cleric and leader of moderate separatists Mirwaiz Umar Farooq continues to be under house arrest, and the main mosque where he usually delivers a Friday sermon has been sealed.

"India is controlling Kashmir through curfews now. Even our religious freedom has been curbed," Farooq said, condemning the restrictions.

He said that of the last 12 Fridays he has been allowed to visit the main mosque only once.

India accuses the separatists of inciting violence.

The protests were triggered on June 11, when a 17-year student was killed by a police teargas shell.

The unrest has subsided in recent days after India announced several measures to appease local anger.

India has appointed three experts to diffuse the unrest, removed 16 security bunkers from Srinagar, set free some 50 jailed protesters and has promised justice to the families of those killed.