An Indian policeman stands guard behind concertina wire during a general strike in Srinagar June 25, 2013.
The people of Indian-administered Kashmir have held a complete shutdown strike in response to a visit by the Indian prime minister to the disputed Himalayan Valley.
On Tuesday, almost all institutions and businesses remained closed, and traffic stayed off the streets in Srinagar and some other major towns of the Kashmir Valley.
Reports further indicated that all schools and government offices remained closed in the Muslim-majority.
The strike comes ahead of Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s controversial visit to the violence-wracked region. On Wednesday, Singh was expected to inaugurate part of an ambitious rail line that connects southern and northern Kashmir.
The developments also come a day after a daring attack by the separatists left at least eight Indian soldiers dead and injured several others in the troubled region.
Several separatist groups who oppose New Delhi rule over the Muslim-majority region called the strike. Separatist leaders say the Indian government should hold the security forces accountable for human rights violations in Kashmir.
Authorities have deployed large police and paramilitary troops in most parts of the capital of Srinagar to prevent fresh street demonstrations.
Indian troops are also in constant clashes with the militants seeking independence in the area.
The government forces have responded by imposing curfews and restrictions on the movement of people.
Kashmir lies at the heart of more than 60 years of hostility between India and Pakistan. Both neighbors claim the region in full but have partial control over it.
The neighbors agreed on a ceasefire in 2003 and launched a peace process the following year. Since then, there have been sporadic clashes, with both sides accusing the other of violating the ceasefire.
Thousands of people have been killed in Kashmir over the past 20 years.
JR/PR
This article originally appeared on: Press TV