Some of the worst violence was reported in Tangmarg village, 40kms from occupied Srinagar, where a crowd chanted anti-US and pro-Islamic slogans before burning down a missionary school. No one was injured in the fire at Tyndale Biscoe School, but five civilians were killed when security forces opened fire on the crowd as it attempted to set fire to government buildings and a police station.
Thousands of Muslims defied curfew orders overnight and on Monday to hold protests across the Himalayan region, many shouting "Death to the US!" and "Death to Quran desecrators!", according to local residents.
Simmering anger in IOK was fanned by reports on Iran's state-run Press TV that a group of Christians had torn pages from the Quran outside the White House on Saturday, the anniversary of the September 11 attacks on the United States. "We strongly condemn those involved in setting ablaze the missionary school," said Syed Ali Geelani, who has orchestrated the anti-Indian demonstrations.
"I urge the Muslims to protect the members of minority community and their religious places. We should at any cost maintain the age-old communal harmony and brotherhood for which Kashmir is known world over," he said. Another seven protesters and one policeman were killed on Monday in various demonstrations, while about 80 people were injured, according to a tally based on reports by a number of local police officials who spoke to AFP.
They all requested anonymity because they were not authorised to speak to the media. The violence could not be independently verified as journalists were prevented from leaving their homes because of the curfew. The police officer was the first member of the security forces to die in this summer's violence.
Monday's curfew in occupied Srinagar had been called to prevent a planned separatist march to a small UN office that houses staff monitoring cease-fire violations along the Line of Control. Meanwhile, the Indian government was set Monday to decide whether to partially lift a 20-year-old emergency law in Kashmir in an attempt to break an escalating cycle of violence.
Security forces again enforced a strict curfew in occupied Srinagar during the day and another protester was shot dead in Bandipora district. A total of 72 protesters and bystanders have been killed by security forces since June 11 when large street protests against Indian rule began, with each new death sparking a new cycle of violence.
Officials said Prime Minister Manmohan Singh would meet with senior ministers in New Delhi on Monday to decide whether to lift the Armed Forces Special Powers Act in four districts of the region. The act was passed in 1990 soon after an insurgency against New Delhi rule erupted in the valley.
It gives Indian army and paramilitary troops sweeping powers to open fire, search houses, detain suspects and confiscate property, as well as protecting soldiers from prosecution. Human rights groups have long campaigned against the legislation, which they say encourages abuses by the security forces and fails to meet international standards.
Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah has urged the government to withdraw the act, but has met with strong resistance from the Indian military. Monday's curfew in occupied Srinagar was called to prevent a planned separatist march to a small UN office that houses staff monitoring cease-fire violations along the Line of Control dividing IOK and AJK.