Hundreds of people have gathered in Burton amid anger at rising tensions in a disputed territory between India and Pakistan.

The Kashmir Forum Group in Burton held the demo to highlight the plight of the 86,000-square-mile region, which is split between the two subcontinental nations.

There have been reports of a humanitarian crisis, with families struggling to feed themselves and much of the area in military lockdown.

An impassioned crowd gathered at Burton's war memorial  on Saturday, chanting "we want peace", as well as "stop the genocide" and "stop the killing in Kashmir".

Speeches from Burton's Tory MP, Andrew Griffiths, and Lib Dem West Midlands Member of European Parliament (MEP) Phil Bennion were also part of the event.

Khadim Thathall, chairman of the Kashmir Forum in Burton said: "It was a really good turnout and I am really impressed with the people of Burton.

"It was the first time a public demonstration like this has taken place and the support we got was excellent.

"The community as a whole came together and we had people from other backgrounds supporting us.

"That shows the situation in Kashmir has affected everyone and it's not something that is just affecting Kashmiris, as (many people) want to see a free and independent Kashmir.

"The Kashmiris are being (metaphorically) suffocated in their own homes and not being allowed basic human rights. The situation in Kashmir is basically like a war zone."

The latest dispute over Kashmir came this summer when the Indian part of the region had its decision-making powers crippled as the Indian government axed its special autonomous status from its constitution.

In the lead-up to the move, India imposed a security crackdown by sending thousands of troops into Kashmir; imposing a curfew; and allegedly shutting down telecommunications and internet access in the Kashmir valley. Kashmiri political leaders have also allegedly been arrested.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Government says the revocation of Kashmir's special status was necessary to ensure its full integration into India and speed up development. He was also delivering on longstanding pledges to his nationalist BJP party. 

It comes against a backdrop of decades of Kashmiris campaigning for independence.

India is predominantly a Hindu nation, but the majority of Kashmiris are Muslims.

Thousands of British Muslims have Kashmiri ancestry, with many turning up to the demonstration on Saturday, September 21.

Mr Thathall said: "People are becoming more and more aware of whats happening and its our duty as humans to raise awareness in this humanitarian crisis.

"It was good to see a lot of youngsters, women and kids who attended and I feel it's important to educate our next generations on current affairs.

" The war memorial garden was a ideal place to hold the demonstration as many Kashmiris served in the first and second world wars and the grounds are steeped in history, so it is an important place to help highlight what's happening in Kashmir.

"We played the national anthem of Kashmir and it was a very moving experience when that happened.

"The memorial garden is a neutral place, where anyone - regardless of their faith, gender or race - can come to mark their respects.

"The demonstration helped me understand the importance and significance of the memorial garden and I hope, with more peaceful demonstrations like this, we can raise voices that aren't being heard and make others take notice and do something to end this heartbreaking situation."