Srinagar, Mar 13: Authorities imposed restrictions in parts of Kashmir on Friday after protests erupted in some Shia-dominated areas against US-Israel strikes on Iran, officials said.
Demonstrations were reported from areas including Magam and Budgam, where protesters raised slogans against the US and Israel and expressed support for Palestine. Officials said the protests remained peaceful so far.
Anticipating demonstrations on the last Friday of Ramzan, restrictions on the assembly of people were imposed in Srinagar and several other parts of the valley, particularly in Shia-dominated localities, as a precautionary measure to maintain law and order.
Officials said the situation was being closely monitored by the authorities.
Juma-tul-Vida, the last Friday of Ramzan, is also observed as Youm-ul-Quds to express solidarity with Palestine, and authorities feared anti-Israel protests following congregational prayers.
Meanwhile, the historic Jamia Masjid in the Nowhatta area of Srinagar was closed by the authorities.
Kashmir’s chief cleric Mirwaiz Umar Farooq said in a post on X that the gates of the mosque were locked on the last Friday of the holy month when thousands usually gather for prayers.
He claimed it was the seventh consecutive year that Muslims were denied permission to offer prayers there. Mirwaiz also drew parallels with the closure of Masjid al-Aqsa during Ramzan, saying the development was painful for the faithful.
