Kashmir: Protests Erupt After Khamenei Killing
Internet Curbs, Schools Shut; CM Appeals for Calm
- Massive protests held across Srinagar and adjoining areas
- Demonstrators gather outside UNMOGIP office in Sonwar
- Mobile internet curtailed; schools, colleges shut for two days
- CM Omar Abdullah appeals for calm, assures coordination with Centre
GG News Bureau
Srinagar, 1st March: Massive protests broke out across Kashmir following the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, with thousands taking to the streets in Srinagar and adjoining areas.
Large crowds gathered outside the United Nations Military Observers Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP) headquarters in Sonwar, shouting slogans against the United States, Israel and their allies. Protesters attempted to submit a memorandum, but no UN official came out as police and CRPF personnel barricaded the main gate. Demonstrators staged a sit-in for several hours, blocking traffic amid sloganeering and mourning.
Authorities curtailed mobile internet services in Srinagar in view of continued protests and a shutdown call for tomorrow. The administration also ordered closure of all schools and colleges for two days as a precautionary measure.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah appealed for calm and urged people to maintain peace. He said the government is in close coordination with the Ministry of External Affairs to ensure the safety and well-being of residents of Jammu and Kashmir, including students currently in Iran.
Thousands marched through various parts of Srinagar, converging at Lal Chowk, where mourners raised slogans condemning the killing. A heavy deployment of police and paramilitary forces was seen across key protest sites, with Director General of Police Nalin Prabhat personally monitoring the situation. Officials said there were no reports of violence and the protests remained peaceful.
Women and children carrying photographs of Khamenei participated in large numbers. Many mourners beat their chests to express grief, describing his death as an irreplaceable loss.
Observers noted that protests of such magnitude have not been witnessed in Srinagar in recent years. The demonstrations reflected the deep reverence many in the Valley hold for Khamenei as a central religious authority for Shia Muslims.
