Restrictions, shutdown in Kashmir on separatist's hanging anniversary

A shutdown call by a pro-freedom separatist group and restrictions imposed by authorities Thursday paralyzed life in Muslim majority areas of Indian-controlled Kashmir including capital Srinagar, officials and residents said.

The shutdown was called to mark 30-second hanging anniversary of the region's topmost separatist leader Mohammed Maqbool Bhat.

Authorities fearing clashes in Srinagar city deployed hundreds of paramilitary troopers and policemen to impose restrictions and disallow protest demonstrations. They blocked roads by barricades and coils of concertina wire.

Police detained dozens of separatist activists and placed their leaders under house arrest.

The restrictions were imposed in areas falling under police stations.

Contingents of police and paramilitary were deployed in towns, reports said.

"The restrictions have been enforced to prevent clashes and maintain law and order," a senior government officer said.

Bhat was hanged in New Delhi's Tihar jail on February 11, 1984 on the charge of murdering an Indian intelligence officer.

However, his party Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) say charges were manufactured to frame him. After execution, Bhat was buried in New Delhi's Tihar jail.

Every year since 1990, a strike is being observed in the region on February 11 to mark Bhat's death anniversary.

A separatist movement and guerilla war challenging New Delhi's rule have been going on in Indian-controlled Kashmir since 1989. Endit