SRINAGAR: Indian Kashmir’s top administrator Thursday urged security forces to exercise restraint in dealing with protests as hundreds of residents clashed with police during fresh demonstrations.

The Muslim-majority Kashmir valley has witnessed a series of protests since the deaths last month of two young women who, local residents charge, were raped and murdered by members of the security forces.

This week the alleged harassment of a woman by police in northern Baramulla town sparked more protests that have so far left four protesters dead, AFP reports.

Residents have accused the paramilitary forces of opening fire with only minor provocation.

Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah overnight held a review meeting with top security and intelligence officials during which he asked the security forces to ‘exercise extreme restraint’ while dealing with protests.

He also ordered magistrates to accompany the police during demonstrations.

‘No law and order situation or protests should be dealt with without the presence of a magistrate,’ Abdullah said in a statement.

The order followed a decision to withdraw paramilitary forces from Baramulla and replace them with local police.

Hundreds of anti-India protesters clashed with police in Baramulla again on Thursday, chanting anti-government and pro-freedom slogans.

Baramulla and neighbouring Sopore towns were placed under curfew on Monday, which was relaxed Thursday, police said.

Meanwhile, a general strike — called in response to the shootings — crippled life in the summer capital Srinagar and other towns in the Kashmir valley for the third day running.

Most schools, shops and offices closed in Srinagar, where police and paramilitary were deployed in strength to prevent protests.