A one-day strike called by Muslim separatists to denounce planned elections closed shops, schools and businesses across Indian Kashmir yesterday.

Government offices were also closed and public and private vehicles stayed off the road in the latest in a string of shutdowns and demonstrations called by separatists in the Muslim-majority state.

Kashmiri separatists oppose Indian-held elections, arguing they strengthen New Delhi's hold over the region.

Separatists have boycotted all elections held in the state since 1989, when an insurgency broke outagainstlndia'srule.

"The strike is to denounce the holding of a meeting by India's Election Commission in New Delhi," strike organisers said in a statement.

The commission met on Monday to assess when the elec-tionscould be held in Kashmir.

The revolt-hit region has been ruled directly by New Delhi since July 10 when the local government collapsed over a Hindu land row that triggered large proindependencedemonstrations.

Elections are due before January 10.

At least 40 Muslims and three Hindus have died in police shootings in the Kashmir valley and the mainly Hindu area of Jammu, further to the south, as authorities struggled to quell the protests.

In the past, Islamic rebels have threatened to kill voters if they cast ballots in polls.