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Indian forces arrest several protesters in Kashmir

11 February 2014 21:59 (UTC +04:00)

On Tuesday, the Indian government imposed a curfew in most areas across the Muslim-majority region to prevent activists from marking the anniversary of Maqbool Bhat’s execution in 1984.

Bhat was executed 30 years ago after being convicted of killing an intelligence officer.

Afzal Guru was also hanged on February 9 last year after being convicted of involvement in an attack on the Indian parliament back in 2001. Fourteen people, including five gunmen, were killed in the assault.

Indian police and paramilitary troops blocked major roads in Srinagar and several other towns to prevent mass rallies.

This is while the activists are pressing their demand for the return of the remains of the two figures.

Meanwhile, the whole region is currently on a three-day strike, with all shops and businesses closed in Srinagar.

The general strike which started on Sunday was called by religious groups and pro-independence leaders.

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

Kashmir lies at the heart of more than 60 years of hostility between India and Pakistan. Both neighbors claim the region in full but have partial control over it.

They agreed on a ceasefire in 2003 and launched a peace process the following year. Since then, there have been sporadic clashes, with both sides accusing the other of violating the ceasefire.

Thousands of people have been killed in Kashmir over the past 20 years.