Srinagar, Kashmir - Daily life was disrupted in the northern part of India-administered Kashmir Wednesday when a shutdown was called by separatist leaders to prevent people from voting in the country's general elections, officials said.

The state government imposed restrictions on movement in various areas of the state capital Srinagar and troops patrolled streets to thwart protests ahead of voting in the northern Muslim-dominated region on Thursday.

Leaders of the separatist Hurriyat Conference along with the United Jehad Council, an amalgam of 13 militant outfits called for an election boycott.

"Srinagar and adjoining areas are going to polls on May 7, so we have called for a 50-hour shutdown in Kashmir," Syed Ali Shah Geelani, a Hurriyat leader, told reporters Tuesday evening.

Shops and businesses, educational institutions, banks and courts were closed and traffic off the roads in the Kashmir valley.

Although government offices were open, attendance was thin because of the non-availability of public transport in Srinagar.

Thousands of police and paramilitary personnel were deployed in the city and elsewhere in the valley to maintain law and order.

Top separatist leaders like Mirwaiz Umer Farooq and Yasin Malik have already been placed under house arrest.

Although the separatists suffered a major setback after residents defied a boycott called by Hurriyat during state elections in November 2008, officials expect voter turnout to be low.

India's month-long elections began April 16 and will conclude with the fifth phase on May 13. Thursday's polling completes the elections for four out of the six parliamentary seats in the restive state.

Security was tightened at the 1,480 polling stations and 665 polling booths across the three districts of Srinagar, Budgam and Ganderbal.

Despite the tense situation, authorities were busy with poll arrangements and election staff had reported for duty.

Kashmir, a region disputed between India and neighbouring Pakistan, has witnessed the deaths of more than 45,000 people since a secessionist militant movement broke out in the late 1980s. (dpa)