Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah during a meeting with religious leaders and civil society members on the situation in West Asia in Srinagar. Photo: (X/@JKNC_ via PTI
J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday (March 4, 2026) chaired a meeting of lawmakers from local political parties, religious leaders and civil society groups to coordinate joint efforts in maintaining peace in Kashmir.
Meanwhile, People’s Democratic Party (PDP) President Mehbooba Mufti burned effigies of US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to register her party’s protest against the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei and his family members in Tehran.
Mr. Abdullah interacted with religious leaders and civil society members in Srinagar in light of recent developments in West Asia, an official spokesman said. “Participants (of the meeting) expressed concern over the situation and condoled the loss of life in Iran,” the spokesman said.
During the meeting, Mr. Abdullah stressed the importance of maintaining peace and harmony in J&K while respecting people’s sentiments and ensuring that expressions of grief and mourning are peaceful and responsible, officials said.
Mr. Abdullah also offered fatiha (special prayers) for the slain Khamenei and all those who lost their lives in the recent developments in Iran. “Participants prayed for peace and expressed hope for stability,” officials said.
Mrs. Mufti and her party colleagues staged a protest at the PDP headquarters here. “Just because the GOI (Government of India) and NC (National Conference) governments in J&K have chosen to remain silent on the blatant aggression by the US and Israel against Iran and the martyrdom of Iran’s Supreme Leader, does not mean that those who speak out are criminals who should be arrested under the law,” Ms Mufti said.
The First Information Reports (FIRs) filed against NC MP Aga Syed Ruhullah and former mayor Junaid Azim Mato must be “immediately withdrawn”, she said. “The FIRs are extremely baseless and unfair,” she added.
PDP lawmaker Aga Syed Muntazir Mehdi attended the meeting chaired by Mr. Abdullah. “It was agreed in the meeting that all FIRs against the youth should be unconditionally withdrawn. I urge people to follow religious guidance and protest peacefully,” Mr Mehdi said.
J&K Apni Party President Altaf Bukhari, who presided over the party meeting, paid tribute to Khamenei. The party also condemned the attack on Iran, calling it a “brutal and barbaric act of aggression”.
Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) leader and lawmaker MY Tarigami has urged the government to restore social media controls on news channels that were removed in the last 24 hours. “If there were objections to any particular report, the authorities could ask for clarification or invoke legal remedies. Limiting established media platforms is neither a constructive approach nor in line with democratic practice,” Tarigami said.
Meanwhile, security forces imposed restrictions in parts of Kashmir, particularly in the old city of Srinagar and parts of Budgam, Baramulla and Bandipora districts. Concertina wires and barricades were set up in several areas, including Hawal, Alamgari Bazaar and Lal Bazaar, restricting the movement of people and vehicles. Most shops remained closed in these areas.
Sporadic protests in parts of the Kashmir Valley continued for the fourth consecutive day after the killing of the Iranian leader on February 28.
Published – March 4, 2026 7:51 PM IST
