People protesting the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in strikes by the US and Israel clashed with police in Srinagar on Monday. The Jammu and Kashmir Police had imposed restrictions on civilian movement amid concerns over protests that started on Sunday.
Several people were injured as protesters clashed with police, who fired teargas shells and, in some places, resorted to lathi-charge.
The Kashmir Valley observed a complete shutdown on Monday over the killing of Khamenei. The shutdown call was given by the Valley’s chief cleric, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, and supported by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti.
A large contingent of J&K Police and paramilitary forces was deployed in Srinagar and other parts of the Valley, and restrictions on civilian movement were imposed. While Srinagar’s historic Lal Chowk was sealed with tin sheets and spools of concertina wires, the roads leading to the city were blocked.
However, on Monday morning, a large number of men and women from the Bemina neighbourhood of the city tried to move towards Lal Chowk. Police and paramilitary forces tried to stop the procession near Batamaloo, resulting in clashes. The police fired teargas shells to disperse them.
In a separate incident, people from different parts of north Kashmir also tried to move towards Lal Chowk, holding placards with images of Khamenei and chanting anti-Israel and anti-US slogans. They were stopped near the Shalteng crossing, where the protesters clashed with police, who resorted to lathi-charge and teargas to disperse the protesters. Protesters said that police also fired pellets.
A protester said, “A large number of people came from different areas of Pattan and Mirgund, and we joined them at Lawaypora. It was a peaceful protest.” He said he was hit by pellets in the arm and face.
Senior police officers were personally monitoring the situation at Shalteng, officials said.
This is for the first time since the abrogation of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status in 2019 that the Valley has witnessed a stone-throwing protest and police fired teargas shells.
While on Sunday, police allowed the protests over the killing of Khamenei, officers have been wary of the protests spiralling out of control. On Sunday evening, police had decided to impose restrictions in the Valley and not allow any more protests.
The J&K government has closed all educational institutions for two days. In Srinagar, vehicles mostly stayed off the roads and business establishments remained closed. A similar shutdown was observed in north and south Kashmir.
Parts of Jammu division also saw a shutdown on Monday. It was called by Seerat committees and announced on Sunday, after which people shut their businesses in Doda and Kishtwar districts in protest against the killing of Khamenei. However, government offices remained open and public transport continued to ply on the roads in both these districts, where police and CRPF personnel were deployed in strength at all major towns.
On Sunday, people had taken out processions and held demonstrations in Surankote, Jammu and Ramban. At all these locations, protests took place peacefully, with no untoward incident being reported.
Police appeal for peace
In a statement issued late Monday, the J&K Police made an appeal for peace. “In view of the recent developments in the Middle East, we respect the right of citizens to peacefully express [their protest] through lawful means. However, incidents of rioting, stone-pelting, clashes and disruption of public order at some places are not acceptable,” police said in a statement.
Police also said that violence, destruction of property and confrontation with security forces “lead to injuries, loss of life, restrictions, closure of educational institutions and hardship for families, traders, students, and daily wagers. We appeal to all sections of society to exercise restraint and refrain from violence and provocation”.
They also warned of “strict legal action” against instigators and miscreants involved in unlawful activities. “Authorities remain committed to upholding the rule of law and protecting life and property,” the J&K Police said.
J&K Lt Governor Manoj Sinha appealed on Sunday to all communities to remain calm and united, adding that the government was closely tracking the West Asia situation, with senior officials coordinating with the Ministry of External Affairs to ensure the safety and welfare of J&K residents and students in the region.
Reviewing the security situation across Jammu and Kashmir at a meeting attended by Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, DGP Nalin Prabhat and other senior officials, including all Deputy Commissioners and SSPs, he said, “Peace is our collective responsibility”, and appealed to all communities to uphold it.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, too, appealed for calm, saying that his government is in close coordination with the Ministry of External Affairs to ensure the safety and well-being of J&K residents, including students, currently in Iran.
Sources said that police have decided to continue with the imposition of restrictions on civilian movement on Tuesday also.
Parts of Jammu and Kashmir saw protests and a shutdown for the second consecutive day over the killing of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in US-Israel strikes. (PTI Photo) 
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