Strike continues in Kashmir

SRINAGAR (India) - THE streets of Indian Kashmir's main city were barren on Monday after a strike call by separatist groups to protest the death of a teenager that locals blamed on police.

Shops, businesses and government offices were closed and public transport stayed off the roads for a third straight day in the disputed Himalayan region. Widespread protests have rocked the troubled the city of Srinagar, and thousands of troops patrolled neighbourhoods warning residents to stay indoors.

A 17-year-old student, Tufail Ahmed Mattoo, died late on Friday after being hit in the head by a rubber bullet fired by police during a protest against Indian rule, residents said. They said Mattoo was not part of the demonstration and was carrying his schoolbag when he was shot. Police called the death 'mysterious' and said they were investigating. 'Justice will be done,' said Farooq Ahmed, a top police officer.

Rights groups in the past have dismissed government probes as a public relations tool aimed at pacifying public anger.

Kashmir, which is predominantly Muslim, is divided between India and Pakistan and claimed by both in its entirety. Anti-India sentiment runs deep in the region, where more than a dozen rebel groups have fought for Kashmir's independence from mostly Hindu India or its merger with neighboring Pakistan since 1989. More than 68,000 people, mostly civilians, have been killed in the uprising and the subsequent Indian crackdown.

Clashes between rock-throwing protesters and government forces since Saturday have injured at least 60 protesters and 20 troops in Srinagar, said a police officer on condition of anonymity in keeping with department policy. The strike was called by key separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani. Police arrested Geelani on Saturday to prevent him from leading anti-India protests. Government forces placed razor wire and steel barricades on roads and imposed restrictions on the assembly of more than five people in parts of Srinagar in anticipation of more protests. -- AP