As fresh clashes are reported between protesters and security forces in the Kashmir Valley, a top government official told NDTV that about Rs 24 crore has been poured into keeping the unrest seething in the last three weeks.

The official, among those handling Kashmir affairs at the centre, alleged that much of the money from across the border has been routed to mid and senior-level functionaries of pro-Pakistan separatist groups operating in Kashmir like the Jammat e Islami and the Dukhtranan-e-Millat, headed by Asiya Andrabi.

The government, sources said, does not expect the unrest to die down soon. "With the kind of money being pumped in it is unlikely that protests will die down. The youth of the valley are being paid to continue with protests and attacking security forces," top government sources said.