Srinagar, March, 3: Kashmir remained under a stringent security lockdown for the second consecutive day on Tuesday, as the administration moved to contain widespread unrest triggered by the killing of Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The current restrictions represent the most significant clampdown in the region since August 2019, with authorities taking the unusual step of halting all security force convoy movements to avoid potential clashes.
The administrative shift follows a wave of 75 rallies across the Valley on Monday, which resulted in injuries to 14 individuals, including six security personnel. To minimize public friction, the government affirmed that road opening parties—a standard daily security protocol—were not deployed on Tuesday. In Srinagar, the central Lal Chowk area has been heavily fortified with concertina wire and barricades.
Divisional authorities in Kashmir have issued a formal appeal for public restraint, stating that citizens must avoid digital provocation and the spread of unverified information. A government spokesperson declared that a 24-hour helpline has been established to assist the public during the crisis. Meanwhile, mobile internet speeds have been significantly reduced, and all educational institutions remain closed.
“We acknowledge the role of all communities in maintaining peace,” a spokesperson affirmed, while also warning that strict legal action would be taken against those instigating violence. The police maintained that the current measures are necessary to ensure the safety of the general public and to prevent further escalation of civil unrest.
