An independent lawmaker of Indian-controlled Kashmir along with his dozens of activists Thursday staged a sit-in protest demonstration urging Indian President Pranab Mukherjee to grant clemency to Indian parliament attack convict Afzal Guru.

Lawmaker Abdul Rashid Sheikh flanked by his supporters assembled in the closed main market of Srinagar city, the summer capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir holding placards, black flags and banners urging abolition of capital punishment.

"Our humble request to the President of India is that Afzal Guru's clemency plea should be accepted," said Sheikh. "The step will be in favor of both the Indian government, as well as Kashmir. "

Indian President Pranab Mukherjee is currently in Srinagar city on a three-day visit to the region.

Muslim majority areas of Indian-controlled Kashmir Thursday observed shutdown to protest Mukherjee's visit in response to a call given by separatist leader Syed Ali Geelani.

The activists were also demanding de-militarization of Indian- controlled Kashmir and release of Kashmiri prisoners.

Afzal Guru, Kashmiri resident was convicted by Indian authorities for his role in the December 2001 attack on India's Parliament house, which killed several Indian security personnel and five attackers. Guru was sentenced to death in 2004 by Indian Supreme Court. The sentence was supposed to have been carried out on Oct. 20, 2006. However, the sentence was stayed after Guru's wife filed a mercy petition.

Authorities have beefed up security apparatus in the city ahead of this high-profile visit. Fearing clashes and protests in Srinagar city and in the vicinity of university campus, hundreds of paramilitary troopers and policemen were deployed in full-riot gear.