Kashmir witnesses protests against Khamenei’s killing for second day
Restrictions imposed on movement of people
Partial strike against Khamenei’s killing observed in parts of Chenab valley
Press Trust of India
Srinagar/Jammu: Fresh protests rocked several parts of Kashmir on Monday over the killing of Iran’s Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, with authorities placing curbs on the movement of people and slowing down mobile internet speeds.
This is the second day that Kashmir valley has witnessed protests over the killing of Khamenei in joint air strikes by the US and Israel early Saturday.
Officials said the protests broke out in Bemina, Gund Hassibhat, and Jehangir Chowk areas of the city here, and in Pulwama town in south Kashmir.
Scores of protesters gathered in these areas, which have a large Shia population, and marched through the streets, raising anti-US and anti-Israel slogans.
In some areas, the security forces used mild force to disperse the protesters.
In view of the protests, severe restrictions have been placed on the movement of people in parts of Kashmir.
The iconic Ghanta Ghar at Lal Chowk has been sealed with barricades erected all around it, officials said.
A large number of police and paramilitary CRPF personnel have been deployed across the city to prevent gatherings of protestors.
The officials said the restrictions were imposed as a precautionary measure to maintain law and order.
Concertina wires and barricades have been placed at important intersections leading into the city, they said.
Similar curbs have been imposed in Shia-dominated areas in other districts of the valley.
The restrictions come in the backdrop of a one-day strike call given by Mutahida Majlis-e-Ulama (MMU) chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq.
The authorities have also closed all educational institutions, including private schools, for two days, as a precautionary measure for the safety of students and to maintain law and order.
As a precautionary measure to maintain law and order, mobile internet speeds were throttled across Kashmir.
Kashmir – which has about 15 lakh Shias – witnessed protests at Lal Chowk, Saida Kadal, Budgam, Bandipora, Anantnag and Pulwama on Sunday.
Police have, meanwhile, issued an advisory urging all media organisations and news platforms to exercise the highest level of responsibility and professionalism in their reporting.
“Please refrain from publishing unverified information, speculation, or rumours; ensure that all reports are confirmed through credible and authoritative sources before dissemination; and avoid sensational headlines that may create unnecessary panic,” the advisory read.
The police said responsible and accurate reporting is essential to maintain public trust and prevent misinformation.
In the Jammu region, a partial strike was observed in Kishtwar and Doda districts of the Chenab valley region, with groups of people holding peaceful protests to condemn the killing of Iran’s supreme leader.
The law and order situation across the region remained peaceful by and large, with no untoward incident reported from anywhere, officials said.
Most of the shops and business establishments remained closed in both Kishtwar and Doda district headquarters and in other major towns in response to separate bandh calls given by religious leaders to protest the alleged aggression of the United States and Israel on Iran.
The Imam of Jamia Masjid Kishtwar, Moulvi Farooq Ahmad Kachloo, also led a protest rally from the place of worship to the nearby bus stand, the officials said, adding that the protesters chanted slogans against the US and Israel before dispersing peacefully.
Reports of strike and peaceful protests were also received from Bounjwa, Drabshall and Chatroo in Kishtwar, Gandoh and Bhaderwah in Doda, they said.
In Ramban district, which also falls in the Chenab Valley region, Shia mourners organised special prayers at Chanderkote for the second day to pay homage to Khamenei and others who lost their lives in the US-Israel attacks.
The Muslim community also held protests at different places in the Rajouri and Poonch districts. Several Muslim organisations have called for a Rajouri bandh on Tuesday after a joint meeting at the local Jamia masjid.
The president of the Islamic Welfare Organisation, Rajouri, Shafqat Mir, said the present situation is quite worrisome and the US, as well as Israel, have crossed all limits of humanity by directly targeting Iran and killing the supreme leader.
Protests and mourning assemblies for Khamenei were also held in the Kargil district of the Union Territory of Ladakh. A large number of Shia mourners assembled at the Hussaini Park in Kargil to take part in the protest.
