More than a thousand students rallied Tuesday in the capital of Pakistan-held Kashmir to denounce India's downgrading of the special status of the portion of the disputed region it controls.
The demonstrators chanted "We want freedom" and denounced human rights violations in Indian-administrated Kashmir.
The rally in Muzaffarabad came a day after Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan vowed to globally highlight the issue of Kashmir. He will address the U.N. General Assembly on Sept. 27.
British boxer, promoter and philanthropist Amir Khan, center, meets Pakistani Kashmiris living at the Line of Control between Pakistan and Indian Kashmir, at the border area of Chakoti, in Pakistani Kashmir, Tuesday, Aug. 27, 2019. Khan visited the Line of Control on Tuesday to meet the families affected by India's ceasefire violations and to express solidarity with the people in Indian Kashmir. (AP PhotoM.D. Mughal)
Tensions have soared between Pakistan and India since Aug. 5, when New Delhi revoked Muslim-majority Kashmir's decades-old semiautonomous status, touching off anger in Indian-controlled Kashmir and in Pakistan.
Kashmir is split between archrivals Pakistan and India and claimed by both in its entirety.
British boxer, promoter and philanthropist Amir Khan, center, meets Pakistani Kashmiris living at the Line of Control between Pakistan and Indian Kashmir, at the border area of Chakoti, in Pakistani Kashmir, Tuesday, Aug. 27, 2019. Khan visited the Line of Control on Tuesday to meet the families affected by India's ceasefire violations and to express solidarity with the people in Indian Kashmir. (AP PhotoM.D. Mughal)
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)
