Srinagar, March 5 – Restrictions continued across the Kashmir Valley on Thursday, even as the overall situation has improved and tensions are gradually easing.
The situation had become tense following protests over the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in the US-Israeli strikes in Iran.
Authorities stated that restrictions would remain in place throughout the Valley for the day, and no protests or gatherings would be allowed to maintain law and order.
Units of the police and the CRPF were deployed at sensitive locations in Srinagar district and other parts of the Valley.
Barricades and blockades were put in place at road intersections to enforce the restrictions.
These restrictions were being strictly enforced in areas dominated by the Shia Muslim population in Srinagar and other districts.
Despite the authorities continuing with precautionary measures, the situation in the Valley was clearly improving as people started emerging in small groups to purchase essential items in the upscale areas of Srinagar city and all other district headquarters in the Valley.
Except for the city center, Lal Chowk, where barricades, tin sheets, and concertina wires were placed to enforce the restrictions, shops in other areas of uptown Srinagar resumed normal business.
As tensions began to ease, security forces also showed leniency towards people resuming normal activities.
Reports from other district headquarters indicated that markets were starting to open as people came out to buy essential items.
Office workers in Srinagar city, except for the old city areas, resumed their duties in the morning as they had done elsewhere in the Valley.
Schools, colleges, and universities remained closed for the day and would reopen on March 7.
All exams scheduled up to March 7 have been postponed by the Kashmir University, the cluster university, and the Central University.
Internet services will also continue at 2G speed, while services on prepaid mobile phones will remain suspended until further notice.
Authorities have also registered FIRs against some individuals for uploading objectionable content on the Internet. MP Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi and former Srinagar mayor, Junaid Azim Mattu, are among those against whom FIRs have been registered for allegedly posting provocative content.
These restrictions were imposed as a precautionary measure following protests in parts of the Valley over the death of the Iranian Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in a US-Israeli bombing.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah interacted with members of the civil society, including those from the religious, social, and business communities in Srinagar, on Wednesday.
Omar Abdullah also offered prayers for those, including Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who were killed in recent developments in Iran.
The Chief Minister called for peace and communal harmony after meeting civil society groups in Srinagar, urging people to express their emotions and grievances peacefully while upholding the spirit of brotherhood and unity.