SRINAGAR, INDIA - Schools, shops and offices were shut in Indian Kashmir's summer capital Srinagar Friday to protest at the arrest of separatists who have led anti-India protests over the alleged rape and murder of two women.

The killings of a 17-year-old girl and her 22-year-old sister-in-law, allegedly by members of the Indian security forces based in the disputed Muslim-majority Kashmir Valley, have sparked widespread anti-India protests since their bodies were found in a stream on May 30.

Indian police initially insisted they had drowned, despite allegations from family members that they were abducted, raped and murdered by members of the security forces deployed in the revolt-hit region.

Forensic tests later revealed they had indeed been raped, and police registered a murder case.

Separatist leaders have either been jailed or placed under house arrest after leading huge protests.

"Today (Friday's) strike is to protest the arrest and detention of separatists for leading peaceful demonstrations," read a statement by the hardline faction of Kashmir's main separatist alliance.

The strike closed down shops, schools, banks and offices in Srinagar, witnesses said.

Indian police and paramilitary forces were also out on the streets of Srinagar in large numbers to prevent protests, which have continued despite a ban on demonstrations.

Despite the heavy security presence, scores of Kashmiris held a demonstration near main mosque in Srinagar, witnesses said, prompting riot police to fire teargas and swing their batons.

Protesters retreated into narrow lanes and pelted the police with stones.

Earlier, riot police fired shots over the heads of Kashmiris protesting over the alleged harassment of a woman by a member of the federal paramilitary forces.

Four policemen were hurt when the angry crowd attacked their vehicle, police said, adding that a case had been registered against the accused trooper.

Kashmir is in the grip of a 19-year insurgency against New Delhi's rule that has left more than 43,000 people dead by official count. Human rights groups put the toll at 60,000 dead and 10,000 missing.