Hawzah News Agency0A Kashmiri separatist leader has been arrested in Indian-administered Kashmir while leading a peaceful demonstration.

Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, from All Parties Hurriyet Conference (APHC), was initially held in Nigeen Police Station after being arrested in front of his residence on Thursday, before he was transferred to Chesma Shahi Sub-Jail on Friday, the APHC said in a statement.

Local media reported that Mirwaiz Umar was taken into custody for violating the terms of his house arrest by trying to participate in a march to the Martyrs Graveyard along with his supporters to pay tribute and protest against the recent killings of civilian Kashmiris.

Mirwaiz Umar has been under house arrest for nearly two months for speaking out against "the continuing violence and oppression by the Indian Security Forces," APHC spokesman Shahidul Islam said in a statement.

"Speaking out against the Indian state’s violations of basic human rights is not a crime, it’s heroism," Islam said.

"Especially when India demonises people on the basis of their faith and ethnicity."

APHC spokesman added that they demand  Mirwaiz Umar to be released immediately.

"We appeal to the International Community to condemn the political detention of Mirwaiz Umar and we demand his immediate release," he said.

Mirwaiz Umar's arrest also caused uproar on social media, with hundreds of people sharing their anger about the incident under the hashtag #freemirwaiz.

Schools, shops and most banks remain shut, and normal economic activity has been paralysed.

Residents say the region feels more like a prison than the "paradise" that Prime Minister Narendra Modi evoked recently.

Despite the government's talk of wanting to restore peace, thousands of security reinforcements have been sent to the region in the last few days, some setting up camp in schools that have been closed.

Hospital authorities say they have treated at least 500 patients with eye injuries caused by pellet guns, many of whom will never recover full vision.