Shoe-throwing insult: police suspended

Fifteen police officials have been suspended after an off-duty officer flung a shoe at Indian-controlled Kashmir's top elected official during India's independence day ceremony - an insulting act lauded by thousands of Kashmiris.

The public reaction to Abdul Ahad Jan's stunt during Sunday's ceremony in Srinagar underscores continuing anti-India sentiment in the predominantly Muslim region. At least 57 people have died in violence since June.

Mr Jan was in a high-security gallery of senior officials and ministers when he hurled a shoe at chief minister Omar Abdullah during the ceremony at a soccer stadium. He also threw a black flag toward Abdullah while shouting, "We want freedom." Neither item hit Abdullah.

After his arrest, thousands of supporters shouted pro-independence slogans outside Mr Jan's house and showered flowers on his wife, it was reported.