The New Nation - Internet Edition

AFP, Srinagar

Thousands of Indian troops sealed off neighbourhoods in Muslim-majority Kashmir's summer capital Srinagar on Friday to prevent anti-India protests.

Moderate separatist leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq had called upon Muslims to observe a strike and hold anti-India demonstrations on Friday to "protest the arrest and harassment of pro-freedom leaders".

But authorities overnight deployed troops across Srinagar and told local residents to stay indoors.

"We are restricting civilian movement to prevent any law and order problem," police officer Pervez Ahmed told AFP.

The authorities have detained more than two dozen prominent separatists and scores of activists to prevent demonstrations against state elections being held in Indian Kashmir.

Groups opposed to Indian rule have called for a voter boycott of the polls which are being held in seven stages.

Police insisted there was no official curfew in place in Srinagar.