Srinagar, March 7 Normal life returned to Kashmir on Saturday as authorities lifted restrictions that had been in place throughout the week following protests across the valley in the wake of the killing of Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
"Restrictions have been lifted across the entire valley, and the situation is normal," officials said.
They stated that security forces had removed barricades that had been erected at various locations, including the Lal Chowk city center, to prevent gatherings.
The iconic Ghanta Ghar (clock tower) at Lal Chowk had been sealed with barricades around it after witnessing massive protests on Sunday following Khamenei's assassination in a joint strike by the US and Israel.
Officials said that shops and other businesses reopened on Saturday morning in Lal Chowk and other parts of the city, and both public and private transport were operating normally.
Restrictions on mobile internet, which had been imposed on Monday, and prepaid SIM card services were restored on Friday evening. However, educational institutions remained closed and were scheduled to reopen on March 9.
Officials stated that while barricades and most of the police and paramilitary CRPF personnel had been removed from across the city, the situation was being closely monitored.
Authorities had on Monday imposed severe restrictions on the movement and assembly of people in parts of Kashmir where massive street protests had been witnessed.
Kashmir, which has approximately 15 lakh Shias, saw major protests at Lal Chowk, Saida Kadal, Budgam, Bandipora, Anantnag, and Pulwama immediately after news of Khamenei's killing spread.
Protesters were seen beating their chests as they shouted anti-US and anti-Israel slogans.
While the protests were largely peaceful, minor clashes were reported between security forces and protesters at a few locations. Security forces had to use minimal force to maintain law and order.