Protests Continue in Kashmir; Schools and Colleges Closed

Sri Nagar: The protest in the Kashmir Valley following the assassination of Ayatollah Khamenei has been ongoing for the third day. Considering the law and order situation, restrictions have been tightened in strategic areas, including Srinagar. As a precautionary measure, schools and colleges have been given leave until Saturday. Mobile internet speeds have been restricted, and a temporary ban has been imposed on prepaid connections.

The police have also closed the famous “Ganda Ghar” (Clock Tower) in Lal Chowk using barricades. Police and paramilitary forces have been deployed extensively. The protest began on Sunday after Ayatollah Khamenei was reportedly assassinated in an airstrike conducted jointly by Iran and Israel. Police used force against protesters in Sumbal and Pattan in North Kashmir.

Reports state that this is the largest protest Kashmir has witnessed since 2019. On August 5, 2019, Article 370, which granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir, was abrogated. The state of Jammu and Kashmir was reorganised into two Union Territories: Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh.