India lifts Kashmir curfew as Muslim fasting begins

SRINAGAR, India (Reuters) - Authorities in Indian Kashmir lifted a nine-day curfew on Tuesday, imposed to quell massive anti-India rallies, as separatists called for three days of calm with the start of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan.

At least 35 protesters in the Muslim-majority Kashmir Valley have been killed by Indian security forces in some of the largest pro-independence demonstrations since a revolt against New Delhi's rule broke out in Kashmir in 1989.

More than 1,000 people have been injured in the protests, sparked by a decision to grant land to build shelters for Hindus making an annual pilgrimage to the Himalayan region.

"Curfew has been lifted but assembly of five or more persons is deemed unlawful," a senior police official said.

Residents in Srinagar, Kashmir's summer capital, thronged markets to buy food and sweets for Ramadan, the Muslim fasting month, which started in Kashmir on Tuesday.

"We appeal to people to resume normal activities for three days, a future program will be announced on Thursday," separatist groups said in a joint statement, referring to plans to call more protests.

Authorities on Monday evening released three separatist leaders after more than a week of detention, but two others, including a woman, remained detained under the Public Safety Act, which allows for detention without trial for up to a year.

Indian troops have been criticized by Kashmiris and international human rights groups for using excessive force to quell protests in a region where tens of thousands of people have been killed in a revolt against Indian rule.

(Reporting by Sheikh Mushtaq; Editing by Simon Denyer)

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