Kashmir Under Tight Security For Fifth Day After Protests Over Ayatollah Khamenei’s Killing
Security restrictions continued across Kashmir for the fifth consecutive day as authorities attempted to prevent further protests following the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Internet services remain curtailed in several areas, and prepaid mobile services have also been suspended as part of precautionary measures.
Shops and business establishments across parts of the Valley remained closed, while officials confirmed that the restrictions are likely to stay in place until Friday to maintain law and order.
Internet curbs have been in effect since Sunday, when large crowds gathered in Srinagar to mourn Khamenei’s death. The city centre, Lal Chowk, remains sealed after thousands assembled there earlier this week.
Authorities have imposed stricter curbs in Shia-majority areas to prevent any gatherings or marches toward Lal Chowk. Officials said the move was necessary to avoid large-scale protests.
For the first time in nearly six years, Lal Chowk has been barricaded with tin sheets and concertina wire to restrict movement and prevent demonstrations in the city’s central square.
Although the scale of protests has decreased, sporadic clashes were reported. On Tuesday, stone-pelting incidents took place in Singapore Pattan in Baramulla district, where demonstrators clashed with security forces. Several people were injured in the violence, including a police officer.
Amid the tense situation, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah held a meeting in Srinagar with legislators, civil society members and religious leaders. During the meeting, he urged people to maintain peace and communal harmony.
A senior police official said authorities are closely monitoring the situation and will decide whether to ease restrictions only after Friday prayers.
For many Shia Muslims, Khamenei was regarded as a key religious authority. His death in a US-Israel bombing triggered widespread grief and anger, leading to protests in several areas of the Valley.
While Sunday’s gatherings were largely peaceful, tensions escalated on Monday when police stopped protesters from marching toward Lal Chowk. Demonstrators responded by throwing stones at security personnel, prompting police to use tear gas and batons to disperse the crowd.
Police said several people involved in stone-pelting have been arrested. Cases have also been registered against multiple individuals, including Srinagar MP Aga Ruhullah Mehdi, for allegedly sharing “misleading content” on social media.
Educational institutions have also been affected. Schools and colleges across the region have been closed until the weekend, while universities have postponed examinations as a precaution amid the ongoing security restrictions.
News Source : Information for this article was gathered from a variety of reliable news outlets.
