SRINAGAR, Indian-controlled Kashmir, Sept. 14 (Xinhua) -- Thousands of Muslims in Indian-controlled Kashmir Friday staged massive protest demonstrations against the controversial anti- Islam movie.
The protests broke out after the Friday afternoon congregational prayers in major towns including Srinagar city, the summer capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir. The protesters shouting anti-U.S. and anti-Israel slogans were demanding punishment to the filmmaker.
The biggest protest was staged outside grand mosque in Srinagar city, where protesters burnt down flags of the U.S. and Israel.
"People here staged protests to vent their anger against this blasphemous act," said a senior police officer posted in Srinagar. "The protesters demonstrated peacefully."
Authorities had placed moderate separatist leader and chief cleric Mirwaiz Umar Farooq under house arrest to stop him from addressing Friday congregation.
The trailers of the film mocking Prophet Mohammed available on video-sharing website YouTube sparked violent protests and evoked condemnations. The film titled "Innocence of Muslims" made by an American Jewish has portrayed Prophet of Islam - Mohammad in insulting terms.
The government in Indiancontrolled Kashmir fearing clashes has asked the Ministry of Information Technology in New Delhi to block the video clips carrying blasphemous content. The content of this controversial film can no longer be accessed from this region.
The students at University of Kashmir in Srinagar also staged protests and burnt U.S. flag to show their anger against the controversial movie.
"Muslim countries should collectively take a stand against this and register their protests with the U.S., so that such acts are not repeated," said a university student. "They should even cut off the oil supply to the west to show their anger."
In Shia-dominated locality of Srinagar, the effigy of U.S. President Barrack Obama was burnt.
Similar protests against this blasphemous movie were also staged in other districts. Reports pouring in from Baramulla town, 55 km northwest of Srinagar, said police fired tear smoke shells to disperse rock throwing protesters.
Authorities had placed the known separatist leaders under house arrest in a bid to stop them from leading protest. Contingents of police and India's paramilitary troopers were deployed at sensitive places to disallow protests.
In 2010, at least 14 people including a policeman were killed during protests against the burning of Islamic holy book-The Quran by an American pastor. However, the repeated calls from religious and separatist leaders for peaceful protests this time are showing desired results.
Meanwhile, the Grand Mufti (Islamic jurist) of Kashmir, Mufti Bashir-ud-Din has asked U.S. citizens in Indian-controlled Kashmir to leave immediately as the sentiments of the Muslims have been badly hurt.
"Everyone accepts the greatness of the Prophet and any attempt to malign his image will not be tolerated," Din said.
Massive protests have rocked the Middle East. In Libya, four Americans including U.S. ambassador Christopher Stevens were killed on Tuesday when a mob attacked the U.S. consulate in Benghazi during such protests.
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