In a bid to disperse the protesters against the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, police fired teargas shells and resorted to cane charge in Srinagar when they defied the restrictions and came out on the streets on Monday to stage a protest for the second day.
Authorities had imposed strict restrictions on the movement of people across Kashmir following yesterday’s huge protests in Jammu and Kashmir.
A complete shutdown was observed across the Kashmir valley and in Jammu’s Doda and Kishtwar districts in response to the call given by Kashmir’s chief cleric, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, to mourn the killing of Khamenei in a joint US–Israel strike. A shutdown was also observed in parts of Ladakh.
The authorities put up barricades to prevent the protestors from reaching the Lal Chowk and other areas of Srinagar. However, the protesters carrying placards and chanting slogans against US-Israel came out on the streets and tried to proceed towards the city centre.
Mobile internet speed was reduced by the authorities across Kashmir as a precautionary measure to maintain law and order.
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.
A large number of women and children assembled in the main market of the Magam town and took out a procession.
The iconic Clock Tower at Lal Chowk was sealed with barricades. The protestors had yesterday offered prayers there.
Police and CRPF personnel were deployed in strength across the city to prevent gatherings of protestors.
Several parts of Kashmir witnessed protests against the killing of Khamenei for the second day with security forces using mild force to disperse protesters in a few places.
According to the officials, the protests broke out in Bemina, Gund Hassibhat, and Jehangir Chowk areas of the city here, and in Pulwama town in south Kashmir. Large number of protesters gathered in these areas, which have a large Shia population. They marched through the streets, raising anti-US and anti-Israel slogans.
Khamenei was killed in joint air strikes by the US and Israel on Iran early Saturday. Kashmir, which has a population of about 15 lakh Shias, witnessed major protests at Lal Chowk, Saida Kadal, Budgam, Bandipora, Anantnag and Pulwama, an official said.
The protesters were seen beating their chests as they shouted anti-US and anti-Israel slogans.
PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti extended her support to the shutdown call of Mirwaiz. She wrote on X; “Extending our full support and solidarity with the shutdown call of Mirwaiz Umar Farooq on the martyrdom of Iran’s Supreme Leader. This is a day of mourning to remind the world that injustice anywhere wounds the entire Muslim Ummah and all who stand for truth”.
Meanwhile, the ruling National Conference MP Aga Syed Ruhullah has criticised the barricading of the Clock Tower area by the authorities.