Protesters threw rocks in Indian-controlled Kashmir and shops, schools and roads were near-empty Saturday after political parties called a strike to protest alleged mistreatment of political prisoners in Indian jails. At least 100 protesters converged in the main street near a mosque in Srinagar, the main city in Indian Kashmir, chanting “We want freedom,” “Release the detainees.” The demonstrators threw rocks at police and paramilitary forces who tried to prevent them from marching. Police fired tear gas after failing to disperse the crowd with bamboo sticks, a police officer said on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to news media. At least three protesters and two policemen were injured, the officer said, adding five protesters were detained. Activists claim more than 1,400 Kashmiris are languishing in Indian jails, where prisoners are allegedly tortured and kept without trial. Indian officials deny the allegations and maintain that they investigate all complaints of abuse or excessive use of force by army or police personnel. The strike, which kept most traffic off the roads and shuttered businesses in Srinagar, was called by Syed Ali Shah Geelani, head of the hard-line faction of All Parties Hurriyat Conference, the region's main separatist alliance. The strike was supported by the United Jehad Council, an alliance of several militant groups and a lawyers association. The separatist groups have wide support among Kashmiris, who often accuse Indian government of human rights violations. Kashmir is divided between India and Pakistan, but claimed by both, and the two countries have fought two wars over the territory since they gained independence from Britain in 1947. __
