SRINAGAR, Oct 6: Thousands of Indian security personnel enforced a strict curfew in occupied Kashmir on Monday, preventing people from holding a pro-independence rally in Srinagar.

Organisers behind recent anti-India protests in the valley had urged the residents to rally at Srinagar’s Lal Chowk.

But city authorities imposed the curfew on Sunday and detained key pro-independence leaders to stop the rally from taking place.

Security vehicles fitted with loudspeakers drove through the city, ordering people to stay indoors as tens of thousands of policemen and soldiers in riot gear patrolled the deserted streets. Police warned that they would shoot any violators of the curfew.

Troops used metal barricades and barbed wire to seal off residential areas and extended the curfew across the region.

“We are enforcing a strict curfew across Srinagar and other towns,” police officer Pervez Ahmed told AFP.

All Parties Hurriyat Conference chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, who is under house arrest, had said that there would be attempts to reach Red Square on Monday. But the authorities said the demonstration would not be tolerated.

Hundreds of protesters defied the curfew in Baramulla. Security personnel fired tear gas to disperse the crowd but no one was injured, said Abdul Gani Mir, a police officer. Reyaz Ahmed, a local resident, said officials entered homes, smashed windows and beat people.

Several hundred people also defied the curfew in the nearby village of Rafiabad.

“We condemn use of force and appeal to people to continue peaceful protests against Indian occupation,” the Mirwaiz said.

“India’s false claims of democracy and freedom of expression have been exposed,” he said.

“It is one of the most aggressive curfews I have ever witnessed. There are soldiers knocking at our door every hour, warning us not to move out,” said Mudasar Amin, a businessman.

“They beat us, arrest us, kill us, treat us like animals... Inshallah one day Kashmir will win freedom from Indian colonial rule,” said Muzamil Ahmad, a 24-year-old student.

Police and paramilitary forces also prevented people from offering Fajr prayers in Srinagar and at other places in the region, residents said. Shops, schools and businesses remained shut.

Meanwhile, police said security forces had shot dead five suspected militants in gun battles.

—Agencies