Kashmir independence day clashes

There have been clashes in Srinagar throughout the week

Police in Indian-administered Kashmir have clashed with about 1,000 separatist protesters in the summer capital, Srinagar, police say.

Shots were fired and people were taken to hospital, but the number of casualties is unclear.

People hoisted black flags in many parts of Srinagar on India's independence day.

Much of the Kashmir Valley remains paralysed by a shutdown called by separatist groups.

Police in Srinagar say the curfew has been lifted in several districts, but local people say this not true.

The unrest began two months ago in the Kashmir valley and Jammu region.

It started when a small piece of land was awarded to a trust running a Hindu shrine - provoking Muslim anger.

The government then rescinded its decision, triggering furious counter-protests from Hindus in Jammu.

More than 21 people have died this week in the Muslim-majority Kashmir valley during police firing on protesters.

Separatist groups have declared a "black day" on Indian independence day.

Hindu protesters have also taken to the streets in recent days

Protesters carrying black flags on Friday held processions throughout Srinagar prior to the clashes.

They burnt India's national flag and effigies of the Hindu nationalist Bharatya Janata Party leader, LK Advani.

But the BBC's Altaf Hussain in Srinagar says that there were no reports of disruption in functions organised by the government to celebrate the occasion.

The main ceremony was held at the Bakhshi Stadium in Srinagar where the state Governor, NN Vohra, took the salute at a march-past by the police and paramilitary soldiers.

Our correspondent says that while students of the police school in Srinagar participated in the march, students from other schools - whether government-owned or private - were conspicuous by their absence.

Ordinary people also stayed away from the ceremony.

In his customary address on the occasion, the governor expressed deep anguish over the present situation in the state of Jammu and Kashmir.

'Problems resolved'

"Some sad incidents happened at a time when we had a boom in the tourism industry. It is as if the sun had set at noon."

Mr Vohra appealed to people to rise above regional and religious differences.

He said dialogue was the only way to sort out problems.

"My effort will be bring the leaders of the agitation to the table so that all the problems are resolved," he said.

The governor also promised to help the families of people killed in police firing during the protests.

After years of relative calm, the demonstrations in the valley are the biggest since a separatist rebellion against Indian rule broke out nearly 20 years ago, analysts say.

A curfew is still in place in parts of the Jammu region, though it has recently been relaxed.

In his independence day speech, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh referred to the Kashmir question.

"In this hour of crisis, divisive politics will lead us nowhere. I appeal to all political parties to keep the long-term interests of Jammu and Kashmir in view and come together to find a permanent solution to the problems of the state," he said.