Strike greets Indian president's visit to Kashmir

Srinagar: Police fired teargas at stone-throwing protesters in Indian Kashmir's main city on Saturday as the Indian president arrived for a visit.

Shops and schools were closed after separatists called a strike to protest against Indian President Pratibha Patil's visit and India's rule in Kashmir.

Streets in Srinagar, Kashmir's capital, were largely deserted except for patrols by a larger than usual number of police and soldiers.

Hardline separatist Syed Ali Shah Geelani called for the strike, saying it would be "a mark of protest against the Indian occupation of Kashmir."

While most people stayed indoors, around 150 protesters gathered in the streets, threw stones and shouted slogans before police fired tear gas.

"We want freedom. Indian troops go back," the protesters shouted.

Officials say more than 43,000 people have been killed in violence between separatist guerrillas and Indian troops since 1989.