Authorities in the Kashmir Valley have enforced restrictions and ordered the closure of all educational institutions for two days to maintain law and order. The measures aim to prevent miscreants and anti-national elements from taking advantage of the situation following US-Israeli strikes on Iran. Particularly focusing on areas with a significant Shia Muslim population, strict restrictions are being implemented in Srinagar city.
All schools, colleges, and universities in the region have been shut down for two days, leading to the postponement of exams scheduled for Monday and Tuesday by the Kashmir University. Following the end of the winter break, schools from Class 9 to 12 were set to reopen on Monday. Security forces have set up barricades in key areas like Lal Chowk in Srinagar to manage potential unrest, especially after protests over the killing of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in the airstrikes.
Restrictions have been put in place across all ten districts of the Valley, with a similar cautious approach being adopted in Ladakh, given the Shia Muslim concentration in Kargil district. Vehicular movement within and between areas has been restricted, and inter-district public transport has been suspended for the day in the Valley. While traffic on the Srinagar-Jammu national highway continues, private vehicle numbers are lower than usual.
A security review meeting was chaired by Lt. Governor Manoj Sinha on Sunday, with DGP Nalin Prabhat personally overseeing security arrangements in Srinagar. The Lt. Governor has urged for calm and peace, emphasizing the need for communities to maintain harmony. Additionally, local students studying in Iran, including Kashmiri doctors and engineers, are being closely monitored for their safety and well-being.
