Srinagar, March 2 At least 14 people, including six security personnel, were injured during protests that erupted in Jammu and Kashmir following the killing of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in a joint US-Israeli attack, officials said on Monday.
Authorities decided to cancel all movement of security force convoys in the valley on Tuesday due to the escalating violence. To prevent further unrest, security forces also refrained from deploying road opening parties on Tuesday.
Officials stated that over 75 rallies were held across the Kashmir Valley, with smaller demonstrations taking place in the Jammu region. Security forces had to use minimal force to disperse protesters in some areas.
This is the first major protest in Kashmir since August 2019.
The administration of the Kashmir Division appealed to the public to maintain calm and adhere to the advisories issued by authorities.
"The Kashmir Division administration acknowledges the role of all communities in maintaining peace and upholding law and order in the valley. Citizens are advised to exercise restraint, follow the advisories issued by local authorities, and share only verified information on digital platforms," a spokesperson said.
A 24-hour helpline has been established (0194-2740003) for anyone needing assistance, he added.
Authorities imposed restrictions on movement, shut down educational institutions, and throttled mobile internet speeds across the Union Territory as precautionary measures on Monday.
Protests broke out in Bemina, Gund Hassibhat, Saidakadal, Nigeen, Foreshore Road, and Jehangir Chowk areas of Srinagar city, in Pulwama town of south Kashmir, and Budgam in central Kashmir – all areas with a large Shia population. Agitators marched through the streets, raising anti-US and anti-Israel slogans.
While most of the protests were peaceful, clashes erupted at some locations, forcing security forces to use minimal force to disperse the protestors, officials said.
They reported that 14 people – eight protestors and six security force personnel – were injured during these clashes in the Kashmir Valley.
Severe restrictions were placed on the movement of people in parts of Kashmir. This was in response to a one-day strike called by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, chairman of the Mutahida Majlis-e-Ulama (MMU).
He urged people to observe the strike "with unity, dignity, and in peace".
Authorities sealed Ghanta Ghar at Lal Chowk, with barricades erected around it, while a large number of police and paramilitary CRPF personnel were deployed across the city to prevent gatherings of protestors, officials said.
They added that concertina wires and barricades were placed at key intersections leading into the city, asserting that these were precautionary measures to maintain law and order.
Authorities also closed all educational institutions for two days as a precautionary measure for the safety of students and to maintain law and order. Similar restrictions were imposed in Shia-dominated areas in other districts of the Kashmir Valley. Mobile internet speeds were also throttled across Kashmir.
The MMU's strike call was supported by several political parties, including PDP president Mehbooba Mufti.
"We fully support and stand in solidarity with the shutdown call by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq in memory of 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," she said.
Police issued an advisory urging all media organizations 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.
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, with no untoward incidents reported, officials said.
Most of the shops and business establishments remained closed in both Kishtwar and Doda district headquarters, as well as in other major towns, in response to separate bandh calls given by religious leaders to protest the alleged aggression of the US and Israel.
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, officials said, adding that the protesters chanted slogans against the US and Israel before dispersing peacefully.
Reports of protests were also received from Bounjwa, Drabshall, and Chatroo in Kishtwar, Gandoh and Bhaderwah in Doda, they said.
In Ramban district, which is also part of 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.