NEW DELHI, India : Troops Were deployed in New Delhi’s old City Saturday to enforce a curfew and head off new unrest triggered by a court ruling about a disputed holy site, Police in Srinagar opened fire on Moslem rioters, killing one man,

At least 30 people were also injured in clashes between rock throwing demonstrators and police in Srinagar, the summer capital of Kashmir State, 390 miles north of New Delhi. Riot police Used tear gas and baton charges to disperse mobs that forced stores to close, blocked roads and built barricades,

The police tactics failed in one of six neighborhoods engulfed by Violence and police opened fire on the protesters, officials said,

at least 30 people were arrested and a dozen police officers were hurt in clashes with protestors. At least 18 demonstrators were injured, police said,

Some Moslem demonstrators shouted slogans supporting extremist groups fighting to secede from India and forge a union with neighboring Pakistan, a predominantly Moslem State,

The demonstrators in Srinagar and New Delhi were protesting a Feb. 1 court decision allowing Hindus to worship at Faizabad. The shrine had been closed to both religions for 37 years,

‘The mobs were also angered by the death of a Moslem youth shot Friday by New Delhi police in rioting that erupted during a strike called by Islamic bodies upset by the ruling.

‘An indefinite curfew was imposed on predominantly Moslem areas of the old city to keep order.

Officials said some 30. people were arrested for violating. the curfew, and police and para military units set up road blocks restricting access to certain neighborhoods.

Many of the narrow lanes and alleys of the old city, normally choked with pedestrians, carts and rickshaws, were virtually deserted. Most residents were ordered to remain in their homes, vehicles ‘were banned from the streets and shops were required to close.

Officials said Busses and private cars were also stoned and a number of shops set on fire. One police officer was wounded by a gunman firing from a roof.

Unable to contain the unrest, police resorted to baton charges and tear gas to disperse the mobs, Officers in two areas were forced to open fire with rifles, killing one Moslem youth and seriously wounding another in the head, police said.

Article extracted from this publication >> February 21, 1986