SRINAGAR: Authorities on Friday evening restored high-speed mobile internet services across the Kashmir Valley and announced that restrictions on public movement imposed in parts of the region would be lifted from Saturday after officials assessed that the overall situation had improved following nearly a week of unrest.
The restrictions were introduced earlier in the week after protests erupted in several areas of Kashmir over reports of the killing of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s Supreme Leader, in alleged strikes linked to the United States and Israel. The development triggered demonstrations in parts of the Valley, particularly in Shia-majority areas, prompting authorities to impose precautionary measures to prevent the situation from escalating.
Officials said high-speed mobile internet, which had been restricted to 2G speeds in many areas, has now been fully restored across the Valley. Mobile calling on prepaid numbers, which had also been suspended in certain locations as a precautionary step, has been gradually normalised.
Markets that remained partially shut in several towns during the days of tension reopened on Friday, with public transport also returning to normal operations in most areas.
Kashmir witnessed six days of unrest marked by protests and several stone-pelting incidents in different parts of the Valley after the restrictions were imposed. Security forces had tightened deployment in sensitive areas, particularly in downtown Srinagar and parts of central Kashmir, to prevent large gatherings.
The protests began on March 1 when a large number of people, particularly from the Shia community, took to the streets in different areas condemning the reported killing of Khamenei. Demonstrators were seen carrying posters of the Iranian leader and waving Iranian flags while raising slogans against the United States and Israel.
One of the major protest gatherings was held at Lal Chowk Clock Tower in Srinagar, where hundreds of protesters assembled and voiced solidarity with Iran.
Authorities later declared the area out of bounds for public gatherings and increased security presence around the commercial hub to prevent further rallies.
Several peaceful protest marches were also organised in parts of the central Kashmir district of Budgam, where demonstrators carried photographs of the slain Iranian leader and chanted slogans against the United States and Israel.
Senior Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi, a Member of Parliament and leader of the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference, addressed a gathering in Budgam during the protests. In his address, he paid tributes to Khamenei and expressed solidarity with the people of Iran.
Meanwhile, former Srinagar mayor Junaid Azim Mattu offered prayers at the Imam Bargah Hasanabad and expressed solidarity with the people of Iran.
Mattu had recently faced a police case in connection with remarks related to the unfolding regional developments. Protests were not limited to the Kashmir Valley. Demonstrations and rallies were also reported from the Ladakh region, particularly in the Shia-majority district of Kargil.
