Protesters hold the Pakistan flag during a protest in Srinagar in 2016. Photo: Reuters

SRINAGAR: Thousands of people in Indian occupied Kashmir (IOK) staged anti-India and pro-Pakistan demonstrations and hoisted Pakistani flags and banners in Srinagar, Kulgam, Pampore, Pulwama, Shopian Sopore, Kishtwar and other parts of the territory, the Kashmir Media Service reported on Monday.

Immediately after Eid prayers, people in large numbers took to the streets and shouted high-pitched slogans of 'Jeevei-Jeevei Pakistan', 'Teiri Jaan Meiri Jaan Pakistan Pakistan' and 'We Want Freedom'. The protesters demanded that Indian troops leave Jammu and Kashmir without any further delay.

Dozens of people were critically injured after Indian police personnel used brute force, fired pellets and teargas shells on protesters at Eidgah, Hyderpora, Sopore, Pattan, and Pulwama areas.

The authorities had placed all Hurriyet leaders including Syed Ali Gilani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Mohammad Yasin Malik, Shabbir Ahmed Shah, Mohammad Ashraf Sehraee, Ayaz Akbar, Zafar Akbar Butt, Mukhtar Ahmad Waza and Showket Ahmad Bakshi under house arrest and in police stations. The authorities did not even allow them to attend the Eid-ul-Fitr prayers.

Syed Ali Gilani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Muhammad Yasin Malik in their statements in Srinagar, denounced the curbs by the authorities on Hurriyet leaders and called upon the international community to play its role in the early settlement of the Kashmir dispute.