Thousands of troops were deployed in Indian Kashmir Thursday to prevent a protest rally called by separatist leaders against New Delhi`s rule in the Muslim-majority region.

`Heavy deployment has been made in Srinagar and other major towns of the valley to foil the separatist rally,` a police official told AFP.

Protesters had planned to march to an important mosque in downtown Srinagar, but awoke to tight security with heavily-armed police manning street corners and checking vehicles.

`The Indian police are not allowing anyone out of their homes,` said local resident Javid Ahmad, who lives near the mosque.

The police official said no curfew was in place but restrictions on movement had been imposed to `maintain law and order.`

Moderate separatist leader Mirwaiz Umer Farooq, who was to lead the rally, criticised the government for crushing the `voice of the people.`

`I have been placed under house arrest since yesterday,` Farooq, Kashmir`s head cleric, told AFP from his residence on the outskirts of the city.

In the past few months, Kashmir has witnessed the biggest pro-independence demonstrations since an insurgency erupted in 1989. The protests have been met with a tough crackdown by Indian security forces.

On Saturday, three key separatists were sent to jail for opposing state elections -- scheduled next month -- under a tough security law that allows detention for up to two years without trial.

Separatists and Muslim rebels oppose the elections, arguing they strengthen New Delhi`s hold over the disputed region.

India and Pakistan each control part of Kashmir but claim it in full.