NEW DELHI, Nov 21: Indian reports described conditions in Jammu and Kashmir on Friday ahead of another round of controversial state polls as ‘curfew-like’, but comments by Pakistan’s spokesman questioning the ballot invited a stern rebuttal by New Delhi.

“We have seen certain comments made by the Pakistan Foreign Office spokesperson on the ongoing elections in J&K,” an Indian foreign office spokesman said in a statement.

“It is most unfortunate that Pakistan has commented on an internal matter of India. We strongly object to these remarks. It is in Pakistan’s own interest to play a responsible role in the region. Comments such as these hardly suggest that it is prepared to do so.”

The Indian reaction came a day after a Pakistan spokesman said that “the ongoing elections (in Jammu and Kashmir) cannot be construed as authentic expression of the real aspirations of the Kashmiri people.”

The verbal exchange appeared to be directed also for the benefit of the new US administration, which has shown greater interest in resolving the Kashmir issue than the Bush presidency did.

Seven-phase elections are under way in Jammu and Kashmir amid tight security to thwart any attempt by militants to disrupt the polling process. Pro-freedom leaders, mostly locked up, have called for the polls to be boycotted.

However, in the first phase on November 17, voters turned up in large numbers braving freezing temperatures, apparently ignoring their call and, according to Indian reports, recorded a turnout of 55 per cent.

Press Trust of India said from Srinagar on Friday that curfew-like situation prevailed in the Kashmir valley as authorities deployed thousands of security personnel to scuttle any attempt by separatist groups to stage a protest march to the Jama Masjid.

It said heavy deployment had been made in Srinagar and other major towns of the valley amid fears that the chairman of hardline faction of Hurriyat Conference, Syed Ali Shah Geelani, could return from New Delhi to lead a protest march.

The police and paramilitary personnel were seen driving back people to their homes and patrolling the deserted streets to foil any attempt by separatists to assemble.

In view of strict restrictions imposed by the security forces and a general strike called by coordination committee of separatists and Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front, all shops and business establishments, government offices, educational institutions, banks, courts and other institutions remained closed, PTI said.

All modes of transport were off the roads here and other parts of the valley.

Some residents alleged that security personnel were not allowing them to come out of their houses as “curfew” has been imposed. “Police vehicles fitted with public address system made a round of the city at around 5 am asking people not to venture out of their houses as curfew has been imposed,” PTI quoted one of the residents as saying.