SRINAGAR, Jan 26: Occupied Kashmir’s biggest city was crippled by a strike on Saturday called by Muslim militants and separatists on India’s Republic Day.

The one-day shutdown left streets deserted in Srinagar, a city of one million and urban hub of the militancy that erupted in 1989 and has left 42,000 people dead by official count.

The strike was called by militants and separatist politicians who have observed the Indian national holiday, as what they call a “black day,” since their campaign erupted.

Police detained nearly two dozen separatist protesters in Srinagar who were shouting: “We want freedom — Indians get out of Kashmir.”

The protesters, led by longtime separatist leader Shabir Shah, were taken into custody near a small UN observer mission office as they were about to present a petition to protest alleged brutality by Indian security forces.

The nearly two dozen protesters were detained “to preserve law and order” and would be released later, a police official said.

Authorities threw a cordon of tight security around celebrations marking the Indian national holiday in Srinagar.—AFP