Asia

India's prime minister appeals to Kashmiris to shun violence

Associated Press
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Indian paramilitary soldiers walk back towards their base camp after a day long curfew in Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Monday, Aug. 8, 2016. Kashmir has been under a security lockdown and curfew since the killing of a popular rebel commander on July 8 sparked some of the largest protests against Indian rule in recent years. (AP Photo/Dar Yasin) (The Associated Press)

Indian paramilitary soldiers prepare to throw stones at Kashmiri Muslim protesters as they walk back towards their base camp after a day long curfew in Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Monday, Aug. 8, 2016. Kashmir has been under a security lockdown and curfew since the killing of a popular rebel commander on July 8 sparked some of the largest protests against Indian rule in recent years. (AP Photo/Dar Yasin) (The Associated Press)

Indian Border Security Force (BSF) soldiers carry coffins of their slain colleagues during a wreath-laying ceremony in the outskirts of Srinagar, Indian-controlled Kashmir, Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2016. The soldiers were killed during a gun-battle with suspected rebels. (AP Photo/Mukhtar Khan) (The Associated Press)

India's prime minister has appealed to residents of Indian-controlled Kashmir to shun violence as the Himalayan region remained under a security lockdown and curfew.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi made the comments in a speech Tuesday in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. It was the first time he commented publicly on the recent situation in Kashmir, which has seen a month of violence stemming from massive anti-India protests.

Modi, however, did not invite separatist leaders for talks on the Kashmir issue, as suggested by his party's ally in the region's coalition government.

India's portion of Kashmir has been under curfew since the killing of a rebel commander on July 8 sparked some of the largest protests against Indian rule, killing more than 50 people.