SRINAGAR - “It may blow - get back everyone!†someone in the crowd shouted.
The police and journalists drew back from the government vehicle that had been set on fire by angry protesters in Srinagar. Its flames set the nearby tree alight. Everyone fell silent for a few seconds at the sight of the burning vehicle and branches.
Srinagar witnessed on Tuesday a complete shutdown of the city, which was called by several Muslim organizations to protest a video denigrating the Prophet Muhammad that was produced in the United States. The move had originally received a lukewarm response in the city, but it gathered momentum after it was backed by the hard-line separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani, w ho enjoys huge support here.
Kashmiris responded to call by closing businesses, schools and transport services. Usually buzzing marketplaces were left with rows of shuttered shops and empty pavements.
Even as large portions of the city remained eerily quiet, in other areas thousands of protesters took to the streets to vent their anger against the anti-Islam film. Demonstrators burned the American and Israeli flag, as well as effigies representing both countries.
“Death to America and death to Israel!†the cry went up. “Long live Islam!â€
In several areas, the demonstrations turned violent. Groups of men threw stones at the security forces, which responded with sling shots and tear gas. “We want America to find the men who did this and hang him on the street,†one young protester told India Ink.
“We don't want them arrested; we want them dead,†another man chimed in. Several participants refused to giv e their names because they feared the police would find them later.
Other districts of Kashmir and Muslim-majority areas of Jammu saw demonstrations as well, reported Kashmir Dispatch, a local news Web site.
The protesters demanded an apology from the United States government, which they believe has backed the film. “This will continue, until they say sorry,†said Irfaan Sidiq, a 27-year-old businessman. “America, say sorry, say sorry.â€
In Kashmir, the film has raked up old resentments of the Muslim world against the United States, including its presence in Afghanistan and the Middle East, and more recently the burning of the Koran by the Florida pastor Terry Jones in 2010. “If we don't voice our anger now, then they will provoke us again and again,†said another protester, referring to the United States.
A young woman watching the violence from the distance said she was deeply hurt by the film. “I support what the men are doing,†she said. “If other women go, I'll join the protest as well.â€
The anti-Islam film has triggered violent protests in many Muslim and non-Muslim countries as well. Jeff Murray, a 47-year-old Australian tourist, pointed out that similar protests were happening back in Sydney. Mr. Murray and his mother calmly watched an angry crowd go by Dal Lake, where the houseboats stood empty. “We're not scared at all,†he said. “We've been given some good advice not to go to the old town in a tuk-tuk.â€
The media followed smoke from the tear gas that rose high into the sky all day. In several instances, the police stopped journalists from getting close to areas of heavy stone-pelting. “Get out of here, you media people,†ordered an officer from the Central Reserve Police Force, a paramilitary group. “Get out before I break your camera.â€
On one street, officers grabbed three boys off their bikes and beat them with sticks even though the youths didn't appear t o be involved in the clashes.
Winding his way through the angry mob was a Koran teacher, Maulana Nazir Ahmed.
Mr. Ahmed, 40, wasn't joining the protesters, but he fully endorsed their sentiments.
“Not hung but have his head cut off,†he said, referring to the filmmaker. “We can see a man die, but we cannot tolerate any insults to the Prophet Mohammad.â€
