This archive report was first published on 8 September 2019.
India's decision to revoke Kashmir's autonomy on August 5 sparked widespread unrest, prompting a military clampdown that has continued to this day.
Mobile phone networks and the internet remain cut off in most parts of the region, with police patrolling the streets and warning residents not to venture out of their homes.
"Strict action under law would be taken against violators," police announced through loudhailers on Sunday.
Shiite Muslims worldwide stage processions and rallies during Muharram to mark the anniversary of the death of a grandson of the Prophet Mohammed. However, most such processions have been banned in Indian-administered Kashmir since the 1989 insurgency, with authorities citing concerns that the rituals could be used to stoke anti-India sentiment.
Bamboo sticks ¶
On Sunday, AFP witnessed at least two small protests by Shiite mourners, who were quickly detained and taken away in police vehicles. Witnesses reported seeing police hit the mourners with bamboo sticks.
Locals said the processions have taken on a political aspect this year, following India's controversial autonomy decision.
Indian-administered Kashmir has been the spark for two major wars and countless clashes between India and Pakistan since 1947. The region has seen a decades-old armed rebellion against Indian rule, with tens of thousands killed.
On Saturday, four local journalists were injured while covering a protest involving up to 5,000 demonstrators. Security forces fired tear gas and live ammunition in the air.
Authorities had loosened the curfew in parts of Srinagar in recent weeks but began to enforce it again from Friday. An AFP reporter described Sunday's clampdown as one of the tightest since August 5.
Tensions could further heighten on Tuesday, which is Ashura, the climactic 10th day of Moharram. While the rituals are traditionally marked by Shiite Muslims in the Sunni-majority valley, Sunnis told AFP they would take part in processions on Tuesday to show solidarity with their fellow Muslims.
