国际英语新闻：10 injured in protests in India-controlled Kashmir over assault on separatist leader

SRINAGAR, India-controlled Kashmir, Dec. 5 (Xinhua) -- At least10 people were injured after protest demonstrations and clashes broke down in Srinagar city, the summer capital of India-controlled Kashmire Saturday to protest the attack on moderate Hurriyat Conference leader Fazul Haq Qureshi by unidentified assailants, police said.

    The contingents of police and paramilitary troopers had a tough time containing the clashes that erupted in the various localities of Srinagar city. Police had to fire tear smoke shells to disperse the stone pelting youth, who had erected barricades on the roads by burning tyres.

    Unconfirmed reports suggest at least 10 people including three policemen received injuries in the clashes.

A Kashmiri protester sets tyres on fire during a protest in Srinagar, the summer capital of India-controlled Kashmir, Dec. 5, 2009. Clashes were happened between supporters of moderate separatist Hurriyat Conference leader Fazul-Haq Qureshi and local security members during a protest against the attack on Qureshi on Saturday. Qureshi, an important leader of moderate faction of Hurriyat Conference led by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, was critically injured Friday evening in Srinagar.

    Qureshi, an important leader of the Moderate faction of Hurriyat Conference led by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, was critically injured Friday evening when he was coming out from a local mosque after offering evening prayers in Srinagar.

    His condition is stated to be critical and according to doctors, he has been kept on a left support system in hospital.

    The Hurriyat Conference, a conglomerate of separatist groups headed by Mirwaiz, Saturday called for a shutdown in the region to protest the attack.

    Qureshi was part of the moderate faction of Hurriyat that is reportedly engaged in a dialogue process with New Delhi to end the conflict in the region.

    There is a division of opinion among the separatists over the issue of getting involved in talks with New Delhi.

    The Indian government has condemned the attack and said it must be done by elements hostile towards the peace process between the Indian government and moderate Kashmiri separatist forces.