Srinagar. Strict restrictions were imposed in many areas of Kashmir for the third consecutive day on Wednesday following massive protests in the valley against the assassination of Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. As a precautionary measure, the government has closed educational institutions till Saturday, while mobile internet speeds remain slow.
Restrictions on movement and gathering of people continued in many parts of Kashmir on Wednesday. Strict restrictions have been imposed in parts of Kashmir with large Shia population and in areas where large-scale protests have taken place in the last three days.
A large number of police and paramilitary CRPF personnel were deployed across the city to stop the crowd of protesters. Concertina wire and barricades have been installed at important intersections entering the city as a precautionary measure to maintain law and order.
The move to seal the iconic clock tower in the city center Lal Chowk was taken after massive protests were witnessed following the assassination of Khamenei in joint US and Israeli air strikes on Sunday. This is the first time since August 2019 that such large-scale protests have taken place in Kashmir.
The government first ordered the closure of schools, colleges and universities for two days. However, in view of the protests on Tuesday, it was decided to close educational institutions till Saturday as a precautionary measure.
Officials said mobile internet speeds are being continuously slowed down, while some prepaid mobile connections have also been blocked. On Tuesday, protests took place at several places in the valley including Sumbal and Pattan areas of North Kashmir. Security forces had to use force to disperse the protesters in Sumbal in Bandipora district.
Some media outlets and individuals, including National Conference Lok Sabha MP from Srinagar Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi and former Srinagar mayor Junaid Azim Mattoo, faced police action for allegedly spreading misleading information.
A case was registered against Mehdi and Mattoo under BNS sections 197 (1) (d) and 353 (1) (b) at Cyber Police Station, Srinagar for allegedly circulating “false, fabricated and misleading content” on digital and social media platforms.
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