Ayatollah Khamenei’s death triggers massive peaceful protests in J&K, Ladakh

STC NEWS DESK
SRINAGAR, MARCH 01 (STC):
Soon after Iranian state media confirmed the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Isreal- US air strikes today, massive protests were held in parts of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh
According to news agency KNS, thousands of people took to the streets in several Shia-majority areas of the Valley and in Kargil district of Ladakh, expressing grief over Khamenei’s death and raising slogans against the United States and Israel.
Large gatherings were reported from multiple localities, where residents assembled in the morning hours and carried placards. Eyewitnesses said some protest marches moved towards city centres, drawing participants from adjoining areas.
Shops and markets in several areas remained closed during the day in response to the protests. Many traders downed shutters, while some private establishments also remained shut.
In Srinagar, traffic movement was affected on certain routes as demonstrators assembled in groups. Officials said security forces were deployed at sensitive locations to maintain law and order and ensure that the protests remained peaceful.
Students scheduled to appear in a Jammu and Kashmir Services Selection Board (JKSSB) examination on Sunday faced difficulties in reaching their examination centres due to road blockades and disruptions to public transport in some areas.
Several students appealed to the authorities to consider postponing the examination, citing inconvenience and uncertainty caused by the prevailing situation.
Officials said they were monitoring the developments and reviewing representations received from candidates.
In view of the demonstrations, Director General of Police Nalin Prabhat, along with Inspector General of Police, Kashmir, Vidhi Kumar Birdi, visited various locations to assess the situation on the ground, officials said.
They were accompanied by senior police officers, including the Senior Superintendent of Police, Srinagar, and representatives of other security agencies.
Authorities said peaceful protests were reported from different parts of the Valley and Kargil, with demonstrators expressing solidarity with Iran and voicing opposition to recent military actions by the US and Israel.
Security personnel have been positioned across sensitive localities as a precautionary measure, officials said, adding that the presence was aimed at preventing any untoward incidents and facilitating the smooth movement of citizens.

(Straight Talk Communications I Source: KNS)