11 November 2004	Thursday	27 Ramazan 1425

SRINAGAR, Nov 10: Several people were injured on Wednesday when police baton-charged a group of Kashmiris protesting at the alleged rape of a girl and her mother by Indian troops, police and witnesses said.

Clashes broke out in Srinagar after several hundred Muslims, mostly youths, took to the streets chanting anti-government and anti-army slogans.

Riot police wielding bamboo sticks fired dozens of teargas canisters at the demonstrators before baton-charging themo

The protesters retaliated by hurling stones and bricks as well as teargas canisters back at police. Police said at least six protesters were injured.

The reported sexual assault by an army major, as well as a row between the interior ministry and political opponents, has created a storm ahead of a planned trip by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh next week.

"India is using rape as a war weapon," Asiya Andrabi, chief of the Dukhtaran-i-Milat, a Kashmiri women's group, said in a statement. "The Handwara incident is not an isolated incident."

"The Indians are not sincere. On one hand, they are talking of peace and, at the same time, they are raping our mothers and sisters," protester Mohammad Yunis said.

The chief minister of occupied Jammu and Kashmir said he was concerned by reports of abuses by troops because it undermined peace efforts.

"All our good work is being washed away by these excesses ... the people's anger is legitimate against this incident," Mufti Mohammad Syed told reporters in Jammu. He said the army major named by locals in the rape case had been relieved of his command.

Police detained Mohammad Yasin Malik, head of the Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front, moments after he handed a letter protesting against the rape to the UN military observer group based in Srinagar.

Mr Malik said he was beaten by police at the UN office, but a police officer denied the charge. He said Mr Malik was taken into custody for disturbing public order. Police said they were investigating the accusation.-Agencies