- Title: Protesters march through streets of Srinagar demanding freedom
- Date: 18th August 2019
- Summary: SRINAGAR, JAMMU AND KASHMIR, INDIA (AUGUST 18, 2019) (REUTERS) KASHMIR RESIDENTS MARCHING ON A ROAD WHILE SLOGANEERING A MAN MOUNTED ON ANOTHER PROTESTER'S SHOULDERS SLOGANEERING VARIOUS OF PROTESTERS CARRYING PAKISTAN'S FLAG, SLOGANEERING (English): "WE WANT FREEDOM", "GO INDIA, GO BACK" AND OTHER 'AZADI' (FREEDOM) SLOGANS WOMEN WATCHING THE MARCH PROTESTERS BURNING PAPERS AND SLOGANEERING MORE OF PROTESTERS COVERING THEIR FACES SLOGANEERING AND THUMPING THEIR FEET ON THE GROUND (SOUNDBITE) (Urdu) A PROTESTER, BASHIR AHMED, SAYING: "No one in the world can stop us from having our freedom. That is our basic right - freedom." (SOUNDBITE) (Urdu) A PROTESTER, RIYAZ AHMED, SAYING: "The day is of 24 hours, out of which they ease the movement restriction for half an hour. I am worried about everything - my children and my family." PROTESTERS MARCHING ON ROADS
- Embargoed: 1st September 2019 17:37
- Keywords: India Jammu and Kashmir protest Pakistan freedom Article 370 Srinagar
- Location: SRINAGAR, JAMMU AND KASHMIR, INDIA
- City: SRINAGAR, JAMMU AND KASHMIR, INDIA
- Country: India
- Topics: Conflicts/War/Peace
- Reuters ID: LVA001ASQULVZ
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: The residents of Kashmir took to the streets in Srinagar, demanding freedom on Sunday (August 18) after the federal Indian government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi revoked the special status of the state.
The protesters were seen sloganeering for 'Azadi' (freedom) while waving the flags of Pakistan and burning papers.
The protests happened amid severe movement restrictions and a total communications blockade, triggered by the decision to withdraw Article 370 and 35A in Jammu and Kashmir, home to nearly seven million people.
For the first five days after the government's move, parts of Srinagar had been turned into a fortress, blanketed with armed paramilitary and rolls of concertina wire blocking main streets.
Authorities say the lockdown and the detention of hundreds of local leaders aim to prevent widespread protests in the region, which is also claimed by neighboring Pakistan.
Some of these movement restrictions have now been eased.
India has battled a 30-year revolt in Jammu and Kashmir in which at least 50,000 people have been killed. Critics say the decision to revoke the region's autonomy will cause further alienation and fuel the armed resistance. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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