Traditional healers, also known as 'leech practitioners,' set up stalls in Srinagar, the main city of Indian-controlled Kashmir, to treat various ailments. The centuries-old practice involves the use of leeches to extract “impure” blood from the body, which is believed to promote health and well-being. The therapy is popular around Nowruz, the Persian new year which also marks the start of spring. "People come here to seek help for different conditions and leech therapy helps them," said local resident Mushtaq Lone. IMAGES AND SOUNDBITES