Srinagar, India - Indian police yesterday detained leaders of Kashmir's main separatist alliance as a third day under curfew failed to end protests in the Himalayan state. A top Indian security committee postponed a meeting to consider the future of India's unilateral ceasefire in disputed Kashmir. Local media have reported sharp divisions within the government on the issue.
Police said they had detained Mr Mohammad Yasin Malik, an executive member of All Parties Hurriyat (Freedom) Conference, on his return from New Delhi to Srinagar, the state's summer capital. Mr Malik had planned to visit Haigam, where Indian security forces shot dead four civilians on Thursday, triggering a chain of massive protests across the state. Two people were injured yesterday when police fired at a crowd protesting at last week's killings, police said. Police used tear gas in half a dozen places to disperse stone-throwing protesters.