Hundreds of Muslims defied curfews in Indian Kashmir on Monday and overnight to hold protests against a group of Christians who tore up pages of the Koran in Washington, police said.
"Death to the US!" and "Death to Koran desecrators!" chanted the protestors in the main city of Srinagar and neighbouring areas, residents told AFP.
The protests erupted after local television showed a small group of protesters tearing apart pages from the Koran outside the White House on Saturday, the anniversary of the September 11 attacks on the United States.
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Night-long demonstrations were also held in Srinagar's neighbouring districts of Budgam and Baramulla, with people blocking roads and reading pages from the Islamic holy book, police and witnesses said.
"This is a despicable act. The perpetuators should be punished for hurting the sentiments of Muslims," leading Shiite cleric and separatist leader Aga Syed Hassan told AFP by telephone from central Budgam town.
"We will not take it lying down. We will continue our protests," he said.
The United States marked the ninth anniversary of the September 11 attacks amid heightened religious tensions following a radical Florida pastor's threat to burn the Koran.
The pastor later decided not to go ahead with the torching.
Indian Kashmir is under curfew again after fresh violence flared over the weekend in the volatile Himalayan region where more than 70 protestors have died in three months of protests against Indian rule.
