Indian police fired dozens of tear smoke shells and resorted to baton charging Wednesday to disperse the religious procession of Shiite Muslim mourners, who tried to defy curfew imposed by authorities, police said.

The clashes broke out in various localities of Srinagar city, the summer capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir.

Authorities on Wednesday imposed curfew in most parts of Srinagar city to prevent religious procession of the Shiites on the occasion of 8th of Muharram (the first month of Islamic calendar).

Hundreds of Indian policemen and paramilitary troopers of India's Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) in full riot gear were enforcing restrictions. They had also laid coils of concertina and barricades to restrict movement of vehicular traffic.

The Shia mourners were detained by the police at Jehangir Chowk, Batamaloo, Karan Nagar and Maulana Azad Road after they tried to march shouting Islamic slogans and carrying black flags.

The police action triggered scuffles and clashes. Mourners threw brickbats and stones on government forces.

"We tried to march peacefully but police resorted to baton charging and fired tear smoke shells to disperse,"said Murtaza Ali, a young Shia mourner.

Several people were reported injured in the clashes.

Every year, Shia Muslims in the month of Muharram across the world mourn the death of Imam Hussein, grandson of the Prophet Mohammad. Hussein as per Islamic scholars achieved martyrdom in the Iraqi city of Karbala in the year 680.

Though main procession is scheduled to be taken out on Friday ( 10th of Muharram), Shiite Muslims in the region start taking out processions from 8th of Muharram.

The curfew restrictions have paralyzed business activities and work in offices in the city center.

"There were sporadic incidents of stone pelting at several places in Srinagar," said a police officer, authorized not to talk to media. "Police exercised maximum restraint and dispersed stone throwers."