Amid shutdown, curfew-like restrictions imposed in IIOJK over Iran attack
Srinagar: In Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, the BJP-led Indian regime today imposed strict curfew-like restrictions across major towns of the Kashmir Valley to prevent protests and rallies, as a complete strike is being observed against the ongoing US-Israel strikes on Iran.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the shutdown call was given by senior All Parties Hurriyat Conference leader and chief of Mutahida Majlis-e-Ulama (MMU), Mirwaiz Umar Farooq. The Mutahida Majlis-e-Ulama (MMU), the largest conglomerate of Islamic religious organisations in Jammu and Kashmir, in a joint statement expressed profound grief and condemnation over the assassination of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Syed Ali Khamenei, describing it as a “blatant act of aggression.”
“In this hour of immense grief, the people of Jammu and Kashmir stand in heartfelt solidarity with the leadership and people of Iran,” the statement said.
Reports from Srinagar, Budgam, Pulwama, Baramulla and other districts said that shops, business establishments and educational institutions remained closed, while traffic was off the roads in response to the strike call. The iconic Ghanta Ghar Lal Chowk and several other areas of Srinagar were sealed including roads leading to Jamia Masjid and Lal Chowk, with barricades erected to prevent the movement of mourners. Heavy contingents of Indian Army, police and and paramilitary Central Reserve Police Force were deployed across Srinagar city to stop gatherings and suppress the demonstrations.
Despite restrictions, thousands of Kashmiris, including Shia communities, held processions at Lal Chowk, Saida Kadal, Budgam, Bandipora, Islamabad, and Pulwama, beating their chests and raising anti-US and anti-Israel slogans. Police also issued advisories to media outlets, warning against the coverage of the gorund situation.
Mobile internet speeds across all networks were also heavily throttled, with authorities claiming the move was necessary to maintain “law and order.”
Hurriyat leaders termed the imposition of curbs as an attempt to suppress the people’s right to peaceful expression and said such measures reflect the continued policy of repression in the occupied territory. They reiterated that despite restrictions and intimidation, the people of Kashmir remain firm in expressing solidarity with the oppressed and raising their voice against what they described as aggression in the region.
