“Strict restrictions remained in place in many areas of Kashmir for the third consecutive day on Wednesday (March 4, 2026) following massive protests across the valley against the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei,” officials said.
As a precautionary measure, the government closed educational institutions until Saturday (March 7, 2026), while mobile internet speeds continued to remain limited.
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“Restrictions on movement and gathering of people continued in many parts of Kashmir on Wednesday (March 4, 2026),” officials said.
They said the strict restrictions were being applied especially in parts with a large Shia population and in those areas that had witnessed massive protests in the past three days.
“A large number of police and paramilitary CRPF personnel have been deployed across the city to prevent the gathering of protesters,” officials said.
They added that accordion wires and barricades had been placed at important junctions leading to the city, claiming that these were precautionary measures imposed to maintain law and order.
The iconic Ghanta Ghar in the city’s Lal Chowk here continued to remain a no-go zone after authorities sealed off the area late Sunday night with barricades erected all around.
The move to seal Ghanta Ghar came after massive protests on Sunday (March 1, 2026) following Khamenei’s death in joint US-Israeli airstrikes. This is the first time since August 2019 that there have been protests on such a large scale in Kashmir.
The government first ordered the closure of schools, colleges and universities for two days. However, on Tuesday, due to the protests, the educational institution decided to close until Saturday as a precaution.
Mobile internet speeds continued to remain throttled, while some prepaid mobile connections were also blocked, officials added.
On Tuesday, protests rocked several places in the valley, including Sumbal and Pattan areas of north Kashmir. In the Sumbal district of Bandipora, security forces had to resort to force to disperse the protesters.
Some media and individuals, including National Conference Lok Sabha MP from Srinagar Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi and former Srinagar Mayor Junaid Azim Mattu, have faced police heat for allegedly spreading misleading information.
A case was registered against Mehdi and Mattu at the Srinagar Cyber Police Station under Sections 197(1)(d) and 353(1)(b) of the IPC for allegedly spreading “false, fabricated and misleading content” on digital and social media platforms.
“The content in question at first sight reflects the dissemination of distorted narratives and unverified information capable of causing public unrest and social disharmony. Such deliberate attempts to spread misinformation pose a serious threat to peace, security and overall stability,” the police said in a statement.
Both condemn the killing of Khamenei and the US and Israeli attacks on Iran. However, hours after the case was registered, Mehdi, an influential Shiite leader, said he would not be deterred from telling the truth.
“The people of Srinagar did not elect their MP to deliver a government-sanctioned condolence. They elected him to speak the truth. This mandate does not extinguish the FIR,” he said in a post on X.
Police urged people to refrain from violence and provocations. “We appeal to all sections of society to exercise restraint and refrain from violence and provocation,” the statement said.
The police said they would take strict legal action against the instigators of violence and those involved in illegal activities.
On Tuesday, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha ordered officials to be on high alert and chaired a meeting of top police and army officials here.
“He chaired a meeting of senior police and civil administration officials at the Kashmir police headquarters to review the law and order situation. He directed police officers to remain on high alert and take all necessary measures to ensure public peace and tranquility,” Sinha told X.
He urged the people and community leaders to maintain peace. “I also call on citizens and community leaders to maintain harmony and contribute to an atmosphere of peace and goodwill in society. Maintaining peace and sustaining the progress of society is a shared responsibility that rests equally on each of us,” he said.
Published – March 4, 2026 11:24 AM IST
