SRINAGAR, India (AFP) - Tens of thousands of people shouting freedom slogans massed Saturday in revolt-hit Indian Kashmir to mourn 22 protesters killed in police firing during huge demonstrations in the mainly Muslim region.

Mourners in cars, buses, jeeps and trucks streamed to Pampore town, just outside the main city Srinagar, to take part in the outpouring of grief and anger and shout, "We want freedom," Indians go home" and "Kashmir is ours".

"This is a day we want to protest the slaying of 22 innocent Kashmiris," Mohammed Latief, 32-year-old truck driver, said as the town's centre was thronged by a sea of people.

Longtime separatist leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, the region's chief Muslim cleric, was carried to the rally podium on the shoulders of supporters.

"These demonstrations should open the eyes of Indians. Every soul wants freedom," said Farooq ahead of leading the crowd in prayers for the shooting victims.

Police said they would not disrupt the event where many of the demonstrators hoisted black flags, a Muslim symbol of mourning, and green and black Islamic flags.

"Authorities have said no force should be used against peaceful demonstrations," said police chief Kuldeep Khuda as security forces remained at a distance to avoid provoking further deadly clashes.

Street battles earlier this week left at least 22 dead in police firing and hundreds injured. Police have promised to investigate every shooting death.

Srinagar and other parts of the Muslim-dominated Kashmir valley have been rocked by some of the biggest protests since an insurgency against New Delhi's rule erupted in 1989.

Veteran separatist leader Sheikh Abdul Aziz was among those who died earlier this week and Pampore, where the mourners gathered, was his hometown.

Aziz was a former militant who had renounced violence and joined Indian Kashmir's political separatist alliance to seek independence for the region.

"He is our hero -- he has laid a fresh foundation for our freedom struggle with his martyrdom," said Ayub Laway, one of Aziz's supporters.

Many mourners carried photographs of the slain separatist leader as a security helicopter carrying police and state administration officials hovered overhead.

"We are here to demonstrate against India's rule," said Mehraj-u-Din, a property dealer.

The rally in Pampore came a day after India's Independence Day celebrations when thousands of Muslims in Srinagar protested against New Delhi's rule with some burning the national flag.

Addressing the nation in New Delhi, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh called it an "hour of crisis" and urged dialogue to resolve the violence in Kashmir, held in part by India and Pakistan but claimed in full by both.

The unrest was triggered by a Kashmir government move in June to donate land to a Hindu shrine trust. The decision was later reversed, angering Hindus who dominate the south of Jammu and Kashmir state.

Hindu extremists then began blocking the only road link to the Kashmir valley, sparking a fresh wave of protests in Muslim areas and further pitting the two communities against each other.