Police use teargas to end Kashmir Shi'ite procession

INDIA: Indian police used teargas and batons on Sunday to disperse Shi'ite Muslims as they marched to mark the death of the Prophet's Mohammed's grandson in Kashmir's main city, police and witnesses said.

More than 20 people were wounded, they said.

"God is Greatest, there is no god but Allah," the mourners, led by activists of a separatist group, shouted in Srinagar, most beating their chests with fists.

Shi'ite Muslims across the world mourn the 7th-century slaying of Imam Hussein, the grandson of the Prophet, and his followers in the Iraqi city of Kerbala, during the first Muslim month of Muharram, which began on Jan. 21.

"Over 100 people (Shi'ite Muslims) have been also detained," said a police official, who did not want to be identified.

Religious processions, including those in Muharram, led by separatists have been banned in Jammu and Kashmir state since a bloody rebellion against Indian rule broke out in 1989.

After the procession, Shi'tes clashed with police in several parts of Srinagar, witnesses said.

The procession was headed by members of Ittihad-ul-Muslimeen Jammu Kashmir, part of the region's main separatist alliance, the All Parties Hurriyat (Freedom) Conference.

"We strongly condemn the use of force on a religious procession. Despite police violence the Muharram processions will continue," said Moulana Abbas Ansari, a leading Shi'ite priest and chief of Ittihad-ul-Muslimeen.

Tens of thousands of people have been killed in violence, involving separatist militants and Indian soldiers and police since fighting began.

Srinagar, Monday, Reuters