Groups of youths stoned security personnel on Monday in Jammu and Kashmir's Anantnag town, two days ahead of a Lok Sabha by-election in the region, officials said.

But security forces exercised restraint to avoid civilian casualties, the officials said. Amid the protests, mosque loudspeakers began playing slogans hailing Islam.

The Monday protest came a day after eight civilians were killed by security forces during the Lok Sabha by-election in the Srinagar-Budgam constituency.

Life remained paralyzed in south Kashmir's Anantnag, Pulwana, Shopian and Kulgam districts on Monday.

PDP's Anantnag candidate Tasaduq Mufti has demanded the postponement of the by-election citing security reasons.

The National Conference and the Congress have blamed the state government for its failure to provide the right atmosphere during the elections.