Restrictions in Indian-controlled Kashmir to foil separatist "solidarity march"

Authorities Friday imposed strict restrictions in Srinagar city, the summer capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir, to disallow a separatist "solidarity march."

The call for march was given by the region's head priest and moderate separatist leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq to commemorate Muslims killed in Jammu province in 1947.

"Restrictions have been imposed today in areas falling under police stations of Khanyar, Rainawari, Nowhatta, M.R. Gunj, Safakadal, Maisuma and Kralkhud here," a senior police official in Srinagar said. "The step has been taken to maintain law and order in the city."

Farooq had invited all separatist leaders to participate in the solidarity march.

The authorities have detained all the key separatist leaders including Syed Ali Geelani and Farooq ahead of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Srinagar on Saturday.

Hundreds of Indian policemen and paramilitary troopers are enforcing restrictions in the city. Barricades and coils of concertina wire have been laid on roads to restrict movement of people and vehicles.

Police also sealed the grand mosque in old city and prevented people from offering Friday afternoon congregational prayers.

"Police and paramilitary personnel deployed here didn't allowed us to the mosque," Lateef Ahmad, a resident of Nowhatta told over telephone.

The local government usually places separatist leaders under house arrest on important days and ahead of their proposed rallies. Indian authorities fear their leading of demonstrations could trigger violent anti-India protests.

Shops, businesses, educational institutions and public transport remained off the roads in the wake of restrictions.

The restrictions also affected attendance in government offices and banks.

A separatist movement and guerrilla war challenging New Delhi's rule is going on in Indian-controlled Kashmir since 1989.

Kashmir, the Himalayan region divided between India and Pakistan, is claimed by both in full. Since their independence from Britain, the two countries have fought three wars, two exclusively over Kashmir. Endit