Indian troops fire tear gas as mass protests erupt in Srinagar

NEW DELHI: Troops fire in the air as thousands rally in India-administered Kashmir’s main city to denounce region’s status change.

Indian security forces have fired tear gas and shot live rounds in the air to disperse mass protests in Kashmir’s main city as thousands rallied against New Delhi’s stripping of the region’s autonomy, according to local sources.

The protests erupted afternoon prayers on Friday, with thousands of people marching towards the center of Srinagar ignoring a curfew imposed as part of an unprecedented security lockdown in the disputed region, exclusive footage obtained by Al Jazeera showed.

Some demonstrators were carrying black flags and placards saying “We want freedom” and “Abrogation of Article 370 is not acceptable.”

India’s Hindu-nationalist government on Monday revoked Article 370 of India’s constitution, limiting the region’s decision-making powers and eliminating its right to its own constitution.

(Agencies)