Anti-India and pro-Islam demonstrations in the Indian-adminstrated region of Kashmir, Srinagar escalated yesterday as 18 people died, many under police firing. Demonstrators had reportedly set fire to a Christian missionary school and government and police buildings as a reaction to recent reports that copies of the Qu’ran had been damaged in New York.

Journalists have been restricted from covering the news in Srinagar despite passes issued by the government. Sheikh Imran, a local reporter said troops beat him for being out past the curfew, even though he had a pass.  

Kashmir has witnessed deadly clashes in the last three months, after a 17-year old boy died from a tear gas shell hurled by the police.