Protests against Iran intensify, many restrictions imposed in Kashmir, schools and universities closed

Authorities in Kashmir on Monday imposed restrictions on the movement of people in areas where massive demonstrations took place in protest against the death of Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Khamenei was killed in an air strike in Tehran on Saturday during the joint attack by Israel and America on Iran. Iranian government media has confirmed this. Officials said that the clock tower located in Lal Chowk has been closed by placing barriers all around it.

He said that a large number of police and paramilitary Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel have been deployed across the city to prevent the protesters from gathering. An official said that there is about 15 lakh Shia population in Kashmir. Large-scale protests against Khamenei’s death were seen in Lal Chowk, Saida Kadal, Budgam, Bandipora, Anantnag and Pulwama. The protesters were seen mourning by beating their chests and raising anti-America and Israel slogans. Officials said that these restrictions have been imposed as a precautionary measure to maintain law and order.

Iran Protest: Barbed wire and barriers installed

He said that barbed wire and barricades have been installed at important intersections. Similar restrictions have been imposed in Shia dominated areas of other districts of the valley. These restrictions come in the backdrop of a one-day bandh called by Muttahida Majlis-e-Ulema (MMU) President Mirwaiz Umar Farooq. Mirwaiz said, ‘We urge people to celebrate it with unity, dignity and complete peace.’

MMU’s bandh call has been supported by many political parties including opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) President Mehbooba Mufti. Mufti said, ‘We give our full support to Mirwaiz Omar Farooq’s bandh call on the martyrdom of Iran’s supreme leader. It is a day of mourning that reminds the world that injustice anywhere hurts the entire Muslim Ummah and all those who stand for the truth.’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.