Clashes between protesters and police erupted in Srinagar after Friday prayers amid a general shutdown called over the publication of cartoons of Prophet Muhammad.
The closure of shops and businesses was ordered by a leading Muslim organisation and several separatist groups to protest the caricatures in the French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo whose offices were attacked by gunmen on January 7.
Most businesses remained closed and the roads were virtually empty in Srinagar and other towns in the Kashmir valley, according to reports.
Authorities imposed restrictions on the movement of people in some areas of Srinagar’s congested old town to prevent protests after Friday prayers.
The clashes broke out when police fired smoke canisters and shot into the air to disperse a group of protesters who began chanting slogans after emerging from mosques.
There were no immediate reports of injuries.
Protesters throw stones at police in Srinagar yesterday.
