Srinagar: Authorities have decided to lift precautionary restrictions across Kashmir from Saturday onwards, while high-speed internet and prepaid mobile calling services were restored across the Valley on Friday evening.
Officials said that the restrictions were preventive in nature and imposed to ensure that the situation remained under control.
“After reviewing the ground situation following Friday prayers, it has been decided that the curbs will not continue from Saturday,” said the officials, adding, the situation across Kashmir remained largely peaceful and no incident was reported from any district.
Meanwhile, high-speed mobile internet was restored in Kashmir on Friday, five days after a throttle was ordered as a precautionary measure against a spiralling of anti-US-Israel protests, officials said.
The mobile internet and prepaid SIM card services are back to normal across the Valley, they said.
Mobile internet speeds were throttled across Kashmir on Monday, in the wake of spontaneous protests against the killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Khamenei was killed in an airstrike in Tehran on Saturday during a joint Israel-US attack on Iran.
On Friday, restrictions on movement of people in Kashmir valley were intensified as authorities apprehended protests against the killing of Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei after congregational prayers this afternoon.
As a result of restrictions in certain areas, normal life in the valley remained disrupted for the sixth consecutive day due to protests over the killing of Khamenei in US-Israel joint strikes.
The restrictions were imposed on Monday after spontaneous protests broke out across Kashmir a day earlier against the killing.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday held a meeting with civil society representatives and religious leaders as part of efforts to bring the situation back to normalcy.
After the meeting, Abdullah appealed to people to maintain peace.
The protests have waned after the meeting convened by the chief minister with the number of places affected due to law and order situation dropping from several dozen on Tuesday to less than 10 on Thursday.
The government has shut educational institutions till Saturday, and reduced mobile internet speeds.
Earlier in the day, Director General of Police (DGP) Nalin Prabhat accompanied by Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir V K Birdi, Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Central Kashmir and Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Srinagar and other officers visited downtown in Srinagar and reviewed the security situation.
DGP Prabhat, IGP Birdi and other officers assessed the security arrangements in several sensitive areas of the old city. They visited Jamia Masjid, Nowhatta, Hazratbal shrine and other pockets to take stock of the deployment of police and security personnel, an official said.
During the visit, the DGP, IGP and other senior officers interacted with officials on the ground and asked them to remain alert while ensuring smooth public movement and the peaceful conduct of religious activities, the official added.
Police issues advisory regarding dissemination of information
Srinagar Police has issued an advisory urging media organisations, social media users and the public to act responsibly while sharing or publishing information related to the prevailing situation.
In a statement, a police spokesman asked people to avoid circulating unverified reports, speculation or rumours and ensure that information is confirmed through credible sources before dissemination.
Authorities warned that the spread of misinformation or rumours could create panic, disturb public order and affect communal harmony.
Police said legal action would be taken against individuals or groups found involved in spreading false or misleading information under relevant provisions of law.
