Kashmir has been witnessing widespread protests over the past three days in response to the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in a coordinated airstrike by US and Israeli forces.
Strict restrictions remain in place across several areas, particularly those with large Shia populations, while mobile internet speeds continue to be throttled. The government has also ordered the closure of educational institutions until Saturday as a precautionary measure.
"Restrictions on movement and assembly continued in many parts of Kashmir on Wednesday," officials were quoted as saying by PTI.
In Srinagar, a heavy deployment of police and paramilitary CRPF forces has been made to prevent protests. Concertina wires and barricades have been erected at key intersections leading into the city, while the iconic Ghanta Ghar in Lal Chowk remains a no-go zone. The Ghanta Ghar saw massive protests on Sunday following Khamenei's assassination.
Meanwhile, police have filed a case against National Conference Lok Sabha MP from Srinagar, Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi, and former Srinagar mayor, Junaid Azim Mattu, for allegedly spreading false and misleading content on social media.
The case, registered under sections 197(1)(d) and 353(1)(b) of the BNS Act, was filed at the Cyber Police Station in Srinagar.
"The content in question, prima facie, reflects the dissemination of distorted narratives and unverified information capable of causing public unrest and societal disharmony. Such deliberate attempts to spread misinformation pose a serious threat to peace, security, and overall stability," the police said in a statement.
Mehdi, however, responded that he would not be deterred from speaking the truth, despite the case filed against him.
“The people of Srinagar did not elect their MP to recite government-approved condolences. They elected him to speak truth. That mandate does not expire with an FIR,” he posted on X.