SRINAGAR, Jan 9: Police in occupied Kashmir fired teargas on Wednesday to disperse several thousand Muslim villagers protesting over the alleged murder of a civilian by the Indian forces.

Around 5,000 Kashmiris took part in the protest at Thab village, 45kms south of Srinagar.

They demanded action against Indian guards whom they accused of intentionally shooting dead a shopkeeper after Mujahideen had fired two rifle-launched grenades at their camp.

Police said the shopkeeper died in crossfire during the attack.

Police used batons and then teargas to break up the demonstration after the Thab protesters refused to disperse.

In a similar demonstration several thousand people poured on to the streets of Naidkhai, 45kms north of Srinagar, over the death of a school pupil also allegedly killed by an Indian soldier.

A police post was attacked and a private vehicle torched before the protesters were dispersed by police, officials said, and senior police officials had rushed to the scene to placate the angry locals.

Police are hunting for the guard after he absconded from his camp, the officials said.—AFP