Authorities in Srinagar imposed restrictions on Friday ahead of a protest march to the Martyrs’ Graveyard called by separatist leaders to mark anniversary of the deaths of 22 protestors in firing by Dogra soldiers in 1931. The state government observes a holiday on this day.

Hurriyat Conference leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq was detained outside his home, PTI reported, while restrictions were in place in Khanyar, Maharajgunj, Nowhatta, Rainawari and Safakadal localities as a precautionary measure, a police official said.

The police took Farooq into preventive custody as his presence in the old city area could cause his supporters to violently protest, the official added. A large contingent of police and paramilitary personnel was deployed in different parts of the city.

Authorities also barred Friday prayers at the city’s Jamia Masjid, Greater Kashmir reported.