Indian authorities have arrested a Kashmiri separatist leader who tried to hold a rally marking the 80th anniversary of a violent Hindu crackdown on a Muslim uprising in the region.

Police detained Shabir Shah and some of his supporters in Indian Kashmir's main city of Srinagar Wednesday, as they marched toward a memorial to the 21 Muslims killed in the 1931 uprising against a Hindu king.

Indian forces had tightened security in the region ahead of the anniversary, placing other separatist leaders under house arrest and banning gatherings of more than five people.

Several pro-Indian Kashmiri leaders visited the memorial earlier Wednesday to pay tribute to those killed in the uprising. Separatist leader Shah complained that Indian authorities were being unfair by giving pro-Indian politicians access to the site and barring separatists, whom he called the “real representatives” of Kashmir's freedom movement.

Separatists also called a strike in Indian-controlled Kashmir to commemorate the anniversary. Shops in Srinagar were closed and streets were largely deserted.

Hundreds of activists across the de facto border in Pakistani-administered Kashmir also gathered to mark the anniversary, known in the region as Martyrs' Day. The supporters of Pakistani Kashmir's main militant group rallied in the city of Muzaffarabad, chanting anti-India slogans.

Hizbul Mujahideen leader Syed Salahuddin told the crowd that his group will fight to end Indian occupation in Kashmir “until the last drop of blood.” The French news agency also quoted him as saying the militants do not oppose a dialogue between India and Pakistan but believe such talks will be useless without separatist participation.

Kashmir is divided between India and Pakistan and claimed in full by both. Muslim separatists have been fighting for Kashmir's independence from Hindu-majority India or a merger with Muslim-majority Pakistan. Thousands have been killed in the insurgency.