A separatist leader, at the heart of protests which have lead to 107 deaths in recent months, has rejected fresh talks from Indian officials.

Syed Ali Shah Geelani has caused Indian officials to brace themselves for yet more violence after he rejected Indian ministers promise to work towards freeing hundreds of youths that have been jailed after clashes with security forces.

Geelani said: “It is a time-gaining exercise and unrealistic. It is aimed to hoodwink the international community.”

The proposals were put forward by the Home Minister P. Chidambaram. His eight-point plan is the first put forward since pro-independence rallies and curfews paralysed the region.

Kashmir is under Indian administered rule and is heavily militarised. The Armed Forces Special Powers Act, which is in place in the region and is severely criticised by human rights activists, allows security forces to open fire, detain suspects and confiscate property.