Kashmir on strike to mark pro-independence leader execution

People in the Indian-administered Kashmir have staged a shutdown strike to mark the second anniversary of the execution of a pro-independence leader.

On Monday, streets in the state capital and the main city of Srinagar were nearly deserted as shops and offices closed in a show of protest against the hanging two years ago of Mohammed Afzal Guru .

Indian authorities imposed a curfew in parts of Kashmir’s summer capital during the strike called by anti-India activists.

Hundreds of armed police and paramilitary soldiers are patrolling the disputed region.

Police have also arrested at least 100 anti-India activists to prevent violent protests.

India secretly hanged pro-independence leader Guru two years ago in a New Delhi jail.He was accused of involvement in a 2001 attack on the parliament. Fourteen people, including five gunmen, were killed in the assault.

On December 13, 2001, five gunmen stormed the parliament complex in New Delhi. However, all were shot dead before entering the legislative chamber. Ten other people, mostly security guards, were also killed. In 2002, an Indian court found Guru guilty of arranging weapons for the attackers. He denied all the charges against him.