NEW DELHI: India's prime minister has appealed to residents of India-held Kashmir (IHK) to shun violence as the Himalayan region remained under a security lock down and curfew.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi made the comments in a speech Tuesday in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. It was the first time he commented publicly on the recent situation in Kashmir, which has seen a month of violence stemming from massive anti-India protests.

Modi, however, did not invite separatist leaders for talks on the Kashmir issue, as suggested by his party's ally in the region's coalition government.

IHK has been under curfew since the killing of militant commander Burhan Wani on July 8 sparked clashes between civilians and Indian authorities, killing more than 50 people.