Srinagar (India) (AFP)

Hundreds of protesters clashed with police in India-controlled Kashmir on Friday, as the UN Security Council began an in camera meeting on the territory that Pakistan is also demanding. .

Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan met with US President Donald Tump ahead of this meeting, the first in decades for this mountainous, predominantly Muslim country, for which India and Pakistan have already fought two wars.

The head of the Pakistani government has "detailed Pakistan's point of view to President Trump," with the two leaders deciding "that they will remain in constant touch," Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said in a statement. press conference.

On Friday, New Delhi also hinted that it could challenge its doctrine of non-use of nuclear weapons first, in a context of increased tension with Pakistan. "India has strictly adhered to this doctrine, and what will happen in the future depends on the circumstances," Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh warned.

On Wednesday, Imran Khan said his army was "ready" to "give a firm answer" to the Indian forces if they decided to intervene in the Pakistan-controlled part of Kashmir.

The clashes took place in Srinagar, capital of Indian Kashmir, while India eased some restrictions on traffic in the area. The phone and the Internet were still cut for the twelfth consecutive day.

- Black-out -

A blackout on communications and heavy traffic restrictions were imposed on 4 August, the day before the announcement of the revocation of the autonomous status of this region.

Fearing mass demonstrations, some 80,000 additional paramilitaries have been deployed there to monitor the implementation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's surprise decision. Half a million soldiers are normally stationed there.

Friday in Srinagar, hundreds of protesters clashed with police, who used tear gas and small projectiles to disperse them, according to an AFP journalist.

Protesters were trying to parade through the main artery, throwing stones at the police while protecting themselves with improvised shields, while a drone flew over the area.

"We are trying to break the siege and go to the city center but the police use force to stop us," a protester told AFP.

The movement will not stop "until we have achieved complete independence from India," warned another protester.

In Srinagar, Jama Masjid, the largest mosque in the Himalayan region with a capacity of more than 30,000 faithful, remained closed Friday, a day of prayer for Muslims, told AFP a senior police chief in Kashmir , Mounir Khan.

- Relaxations -

The population is allowed to pray only in smaller mosques to avoid large gatherings. The government confirmed that clashes took place after last Friday's Muslim prayer.

"You have to understand that the restrictions and easing depend on the zones, we can not generalize them," Khan added.

In a radio announcement, the state ordered the administration's employees to report for work from Friday, the Press Trust of India (PTI) news agency reported.

Business and other business activities remained closed. As for schools still closed, the authorities plan to reopen them next week in the valley, according to PTI, quoting a civil servant without naming him.

According to this official, the situation in the Kashmir valley is monitored in real time, and the decision to withdraw security forces depends on the situation on the ground.

"We are making arrangements for all government offices to start operating normally from Monday," he said. "Even if the telephone services are to be restored, they will be gradually."

Several events had already taken place despite the blackout, including one having gathered about 8,000 people.

According to the Indian press, the authorities arrested some 500 people, including Kashmiri politicians, university professors, business leaders and activists. A journalist was also arrested on Wednesday night, the Indian Express reported.

© 2019 AFP