January 07, 2009	Wednesday	Muharram 09, 1430

SRINAGAR, Jan 6: Around 80 people were hurt on Tuesday when Indian police fired teargas and used bamboo canes to break up a Muharram procession in occupied Kashmir, police and witnesses said.

Nearly 150 others were detained on charges of violating orders in force in occupied Srinagar, said police officer Pervez Ahmed.

Muharram processions have been banned in the disputed territory since the outbreak of an anti-Indian insurgency in 1989. Only small mourning rallies and processions are allowed in select areas with large Shia populations.

The clergy and local political groups have termed the restrictions as “unwarranted interference” in religious affairs. The authorities say the emotional religious rituals could be exploited by anti-India politicians.

The main mourning processions, including both officially sanctioned and banned ones, are scheduled to take place on Thursday.—AFP