Authorities have intensified patrols in the main city in Indian-controlled Kashmir after posters appeared calling for a public march to a United Nations office to protest New Delhi's tightened grip on the disputed region.
Police and paramilitary soldiers re-imposed restrictions on traffic Friday in areas where they had been eased, putting steel barricades back up and laying razor wire across roads, bridges and intersections.
Posters appeared Thursday across Srinagar urging Kashmiris to march to the U.N. office after Muslim Friday prayers.
Kashmiri children accompanied by their mother walk past barbwire setup as road blockade by Indian paramilitary soldiers during lockdown in Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Friday, Aug. 23, 2019. The latest crackdown began just before Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Hindu nationalist-led government stripped Jammu and Kashmir of its semi-autonomy and its statehood, creating two federal territories. (AP PhotoDar Yasin)
The posters bore the name of the Joint Resistance Leadership comprised of three separatist leaders fighting Indian sovereignty in Kashmir.
Security forces in riot gear carrying assault rifles surrounded the U.N. office, prohibiting pedestrians from approaching the area.
An elderly Kashmiri man is stopped before being allowed to pass near a temporary checkpoint set up by Indian paramilitary soldiers during lockdown in Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Friday, Aug. 23, 2019. The latest crackdown began just before Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Hindu nationalist-led government stripped Jammu and Kashmir of its semi-autonomy and its statehood, creating two federal territories. (AP PhotoDar Yasin)
An Indian paramilitary soldier crosses a barbwire checkpoint set up as road barricade during lockdown in Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Friday, Aug. 23, 2019. The latest crackdown began just before Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Hindu nationalist-led government stripped Jammu and Kashmir of its semi-autonomy and its statehood, creating two federal territories. (AP PhotoDar Yasin)
Indian paramilitary soldiers interrogate a Kashmiri man on the way to the airport to pick up pilgrims arriving from Mecca, at a temporary checkpoint during lockdown in Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Friday, Aug. 23, 2019. The latest crackdown began just before Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Hindu nationalist-led government stripped Jammu and Kashmir of its semi-autonomy and its statehood, creating two federal territories. (AP PhotoDar Yasin)
SRINAGAR, India (AP) — A boat carrying a group of people capsized in a river in Indian-controlled Kashmir on Tuesday, drowning four of them, news agency Press Trust of India reported.
The boat capsized in Jhelum river near Srinagar, the region’s main city. Most of the passengers were children, and rescuers were searching for many others who were still missing.
Heavy rains fell over the region in the past few days, leading to higher water levels in the river.
Boating accidents are common in India, where many vessels are overcrowded and have inadequate safety equipment.
Last year, 22 people drowned when a double-decker boat carrying more than 30 passengers capsized near a beach in Kerala state in southern India.
In May 2018, 30 people died when their boat capsized on the swollen Godavari River in the southern state of Andhra Pradesh.
Family members and relatives cry after a boat carrying people including children capsized in Jhelum river on the outskirts of Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Tuesday, April. 16, 2024. Rescue operation is continuing for the several missing people. (AP Photo/Mukhtar Khan)
Family members and relatives cry after a boat carrying people including children capsized in Jhelum river on the outskirts of Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Tuesday, April. 16, 2024. Rescue operation is continuing for the several missing people. (AP Photo/Mukhtar Khan)
Rescuers of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) search after a boat carrying people including children capsized in Jhelum river on the outskirts of Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Tuesday, April. 16, 2024. Rescue operation is continuing for the several missing people. (AP Photo/Mukhtar Khan)
Family members and relatives cry after a boat carrying people including children capsized in Jhelum river on the outskirts of Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Tuesday, April. 16, 2024. Rescue operation is continuing for the several missing people. (AP Photo/Mukhtar Khan)
People watch rescuers of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) search after a boat carrying people including children capsized in Jhelum river on the outskirts of Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Tuesday, April. 16, 2024. Rescue operation is continuing for the several missing people. (AP Photo/Mukhtar Khan)
Family members and relatives cry after a boat carrying people including children capsized in Jhelum river on the outskirts of Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Tuesday, April. 16, 2024. Rescue operation is continuing for the several missing people. (AP Photo/Mukhtar Khan)
Rescuers prepare to search after a boat carrying people including children capsized in Jhelum river on the outskirts of Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Tuesday, April. 16, 2024. Rescue operation is continuing for the several missing people. (AP Photo/Mukhtar Khan)
