SRINAGAR, Oct 27: Police fired tear gas on Saturday at rock-throwing protesters as a general strike called to mark 60 years of India’s military presence in Kashmir shut down much of the occupied territory, police said.

Some 200 youths took to the streets near the main mosque in Srinagar, chanting slogans against Indian rule and throwing rocks at police who tried to stop them, said a police officer.

He said at least three protesters and two policemen were injured.

Shops, schools and businesses were closed and public transport stayed off the roads. Government services were also affected, with civil servants staying home.

“India occupied Kashmir through military aggression,” said Syed Ali Shah Geelani, a Kashmiri freedom movement leader.

Dozens of followers of a more moderate group staged a peaceful demonstration in a main park in Srinagar, holding signs reading: ‘Remove shackles of Oct 27, 1947’ and ‘Stop human rights violations.’—AP