In the northern Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir, tension has reached some of its highest levels in 20 years. In Indian-administered Kashmir, Muslim locals are rallying to demand independence from India. In neighbouring Jammu, a Hindu dominated region, on the other hand, anti-Muslim riots by Hindus are multiplying.

In the past two decades, the northern Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir has seen extraordinary levels of violence, sparked by a long drawn out separatist insurgency. But even in a state that has come to symbolize insecurity for most Indians, the recent level of violence has shaken the nation. Thousands of Kashmiris gathered on Friday in Srinagar, Kashmir, to claim their independence. The rally was finally cancelled because the crowd was impossible to control.

In the past two weeks, at least 27 people have been shot dead and 500 injured, as Indian security forces struggle to maintain order in Kashmir.

The Kashmir region is predominantly Muslim. Whether they are in favour of joining Pakistan or of independence, most Kashmiris believe that they are oppressed by India. They accuse the Hindu majority in Jammu of creating an economic blockade to weaken Kashmir.

Since the old British colony was divided into India and Pakistan in 1947, the two countries have waged two bitter wars over the mountainous region. Both India and Pakistan claim Kashmir.

Over the last few days, Hindus have started attacking Muslim vehicles. For the last few weeks, Jammu has seen many riots. Hindus are protesting against the government's refusal to grant land to a Hindu pilgrimage trust in Kashmir.

The army has been trying to restore peace in this neighborhood since early morning. But we are still welcomed with stones. Everyone here supports the rioters. The army has a very bad reputation.

Nationalist leaders have called for the boycott of Kashmiri products and have even burnt some in public places. Jammu inhabitants are ready to do anything to draw attention to their cause: they are now occupying the city's police stations. It's an escalation of violence that the Indian government is finding increasingly difficult to control.