Kashmir

SRINAGAR, India (AP) — Police fired tear gas and used batons to disperse rock-throwing demonstrators Friday as anti-India protests flared again in Kashmir, police said. Thousands of people took to the streets after Friday prayers in the Muslim-majority region, responding to a call from separatist leaders to step up protests against Indian rule during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. Also Friday, the Indian government said it was ready to allow direct trade between Indian-controlled Kashmir and the Pakistani portion, a major demand of recent protests. In recent months the Indian-controlled portion of Kashmir has seen some of the largest protests against Indian rule in two decades. While they subsided in recent weeks, separatist leaders have launched a string of protests during Ramadan. A general strike has been called for Saturday.