Srinagar, March 2 – Despite restrictions imposed by authorities on Monday to maintain law and order, pro-Iran protests continued in several parts of the Kashmir Valley, with reports of clashes between security forces and protesters at a few locations.
Large numbers of police and security personnel were deployed throughout the Kashmir Valley, with authorities focusing particularly on Shia Muslim-dominated areas in Srinagar city and elsewhere.
Barricades made of concertina wire were erected in the city center at Lal Chowk, where thousands of protesters had gathered on Sunday, chanting slogans against the United States and Israel.
Schools, colleges, and universities remained closed on Monday and will remain closed on Tuesday, officials said.
All examinations scheduled for Monday and Tuesday have been postponed. The administration of the University of Kashmir announced that new dates for the postponed examinations would be announced shortly.
Movement of people and vehicles was restricted in several areas, and the speed of internet services was reduced to prevent the circulation of provocative content on social media.
This was the second consecutive day of protests in the Kashmir Valley following the reported killing of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran's Supreme Leader, in joint airstrikes by the United States and Israel early on Saturday.
Officials reported protests from the areas of Bemina, Gund Hassi Bhat, Budgam, Magam, Shalteng, and Jehangir Chowk in Srinagar, as well as from the town of Pulwama in south Kashmir.
Protesters gathered in these areas and marched through the streets, chanting anti-US and anti-Israel slogans.
In some locations, security forces used batons and tear smoke shells to disperse the demonstrators.
Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, the chief cleric and chairman of the Mutahida Majlis-e-Ulama (MMU), had called for a protest shutdown on Monday. This call was supported by several political parties, including Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president and former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti.
The Kashmir Valley is estimated to have around 16 lakh Shia Muslims, primarily residing in Zadibal in Srinagar; the towns of Magam and Budgam in the Budgam district; and in several villages across the Baramulla, Ganderbal, Pulwama, Anantnag, and Bandipora districts.
Senior police officers, including Director General of Police (DGP) Nalin Prabhat, oversaw the security arrangements across the Kashmir Valley.
Top official sources said specific instructions had been issued to security forces to avoid the use of force unless absolutely necessary.
"The main purpose of the day's deployment was to ensure that troublemakers and anti-national elements do not mingle with crowds to create a law and order situation."
"The situation across the Valley remained largely normal today, except for a few instances where mild baton charges were used to disperse unruly mobs," top sources told IANS.