Authorities restrict internet, movement in Kashmir after protests over Khamenei killing
The landmark Ghanta Ghar in Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, was sealed with security barricades, while a large number of paramilitary personnel were deployed across the city.
Indian authorities today (2 March) imposed restrictions on internet speeds and the movement of people in parts of Jammu and Kashmir following widespread street protests over the killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, officials said.
They said the measures were taken as a precautionary step to maintain law and order.
The landmark Ghanta Ghar in Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, was sealed with security barricades, while a large number of paramilitary personnel were deployed across the city.
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Kashmir, home to an estimated 1.5 million Shias, witnessed major protests on Sunday. Demonstrators were seen beating their chests and chanting anti-US and anti-Israel slogans.
Police issued an advisory urging media organisations to exercise restraint.
"Please refrain from publishing unverified information, speculation, or rumours; ensure that all reports are confirmed through credible and authoritative sources before dissemination; and avoid sensational headlines that may create unnecessary panic," the advisory read.
Large-scale protests led by Shia Muslims also erupted in several districts of Uttar Pradesh, India's most populous state, including the capital Lucknow, on Sunday.
Terming Khamenei's "martyrdom" a huge loss to humanity and the silencing of a strong voice for their rights, protesters gathered at the Chhota Imambara in Lucknow to condemn what they described as the "cowardly act" of the US and Israel.
Police said the gatherings were peaceful, with no untoward incidents reported. In the evening, a candlelight march was taken out from the Chhota Imambara to the Bada Imambara.
Samajwadi Party spokesperson Abbas Haidar, who was present at the protest, said, "This [killing Khamenei] is an act of cowardice by the US and Israel. People who are peace-loving and have faith in justice are deeply pained."
Chairman of the Lucknow Islamic Centre, Maulana Khalid Rasheed Firangi Mahali, said, "The way Iran has been attacked is deeply concerning. Iran is a sovereign, independent country, and the attack by Israel and the US violated all international laws and demonstrated extreme brutality."
In Aligarh, a large number of people, including students of Aligarh Muslim University, held a demonstration and submitted a memorandum addressed to the President of India, demanding that India formally protest against what they described as the brutal killing of dozens of schoolchildren in Iran by the US military.
Former AMU student leader Mehboob Alam told reporters, "Ayatollah Khamenei was not only the spiritual leader of the Shia community but also the voice of all those who stood against the imperialist forces posing a serious threat to world peace. His death is a grave loss to humanity."
In Muzaffarnagar, around 200km away, thousands of Shia Muslims marched with photographs of Khamenei from Kidwai Nagar to Fakharshah Chowk and submitted a memorandum to the district magistrate addressed to the President of India.
Protests were also held in Meerut, where members of the Shia community, including women and children, staged demonstrations and held prayer meetings.
In Jhansi, a large number of Shia Muslims gathered at Masjid-e-Imamiya in Mewatipura to mourn Khamenei's killing, calling it an attack on world peace.
