The New Nation - Internet Edition

AFP, Srinagar

Indian officials pledged Monday to stop Hindu protesters from imposing an economic blockade on the mainly Muslim Kashmir valley as tensions worsened in the region.

The unrest was triggered after the state government reneged on a plan to transfer land to a Hindu trust, throwing Kashmir-already in the grip of a separatist Islamic insurgency against New Delhi's rule-into new turmoil.

"We have sought the help of the army in securing the national highway to ensure smooth transportation of supplies to and from the valley," Kashmir chief secretary S.S. Kapur said, adding that the situation was "under control."

"We are not going to allow the movement of vehicles to be disrupted," he said in a statement.

The 300-kilometre (180-mile) national highway is the only surface transport link between the Kashmir valley and the rest of India.

The valley was reported to be running short of supplies as a result of the attempts by protesters in the mainly Hindu southern Jammu area to stop transport along the highway.

Fruit-growers in the valley complained their produce bound for markets in New Delhi was rotting as a result of the blockade.

Hindu protesters are angered by the state government's decision to back down on its June promise to provide land to shelter Hindu pilgrims who visit a Kashmir mountain grotto each year.

Muslim separatists said the land transfer was a ploy to settle Hindus in Kashmir. Six people died and hundreds were injured in days of riots.

Last week the Indian army was deployed in Jammu as Hindu protesters went on the rampage, attacking government buildings.

Meanwhile, a one-day strike called by hardline separatists to protest against attacks on Muslims in Jammu left shops, schools and offices shut in Srinagar and other towns in the Kashmir valley, witnesses said. Police and Muslim protesters clashed at several places in summer capital Srinagar, police said, adding about nine people were hurt.

Senior hardline separatist Syed Ali Geelani was placed under house arrest early Monday to prevent him from leading demonstrations, police said.

Indian soldiers were enforcing a strict curfew in Jammu and Kathua districts, police said, adding the restrictions had been extended to other communally-sensitive districts.

Another key separatist, Yasin Malik, said Monday he would go on a hunger strike from Tuesday to protest attacks on Muslims in Jammu.

"It is a fake curfew in Jammu. Fanatics have been given a free hand to target Muslims," he said, as police reported four fresh cases of assault on Muslim drivers along the highway.

Radical Hindu groups have told Muslims living in Jammu to leave the region and the houses of some Muslims have been set ablaze, according to reports.

The state government collapsed last month after its main ally withdrew support over the land issue, and the scenic region has been put under federal rule.

The state is due to go to the polls in September or October.