Srinagar: Curfew-like restrictions were imposed in parts of Kashmir for the second consecutive day on Tuesday (March 3) amid simmering protests against the assassination of Iranian Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in a joint US-Israel strike.Meanwhile, the government confirmed the temporary suspension and restriction of prepaid mobile services (data, voice and SMS) across the entire Kashmir Valley, limiting services to 2G speed (not exceeding 128 kbps) till 8:00 PM on March 4, 2026. The restrictions came into effect from 9:00 AM on March 1, 2026.The order, issued by the Home Departmentunder the provisions of the Temporary Suspension of Telecommunication Service Rules, 2024, and Section 20 of the Telecommunication Act, 2023, confirms directions earlier passed by the IGP, Kashmir Zone, Srinagar, who is the Authorized Officer in this regard, KNC reports.The Home Department stated that after reviewing the material placed before it, the government found it absolute necessity to confirm the directions in the interest of maintaining public order and safeguarding the sovereignty and integrity of the Union Territory.Hundreds of police and paramilitary forces were deployed on the roads and bridges leading to the city centre Lal Chowk, Kashmir’s largest marketplace, which has remained out of bounds for traders and shoppers for two days in a row amid security concerns.The J&K government has extended the closure of educational institutions in Kashmir till March 7 in view of the prevailing tensions.Security personnel also continued to remain deployed in strength in the sensitive areas of Srinagar, Budgam and Baramulla districts, where massive protests were reported since Sunday after the Iranian state media confirmed that Khamenei had been assassinated at his office in downtown Tehran.Despite restrictions, several anti-US and anti-Israel rallies were carried out in Bemina, Magam, Pattan, Haigam and other parts of Kashmir on Tuesday. Per reports, the rallies remained largely peaceful, though the police fired teargas at some places to disperse the protesters.In Srinagar, J&K lieutenant governor Manoj Sinha reviewed the law and order situation in a high-level meeting at the police control room. He directed the security forces to remain on heightened alert and “take all necessary measures to ensure public peace and tranquility”.“I also appeal to the citizens and community leaders to uphold harmony and contribute to an atmosphere of calm and goodwill in society. Preserving peace and sustaining the progress of society is a shared responsibility that rests equally upon each one of us,” Sinha said.Protestors detainedWithout specifying numbers, the ruling National Conference, the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and others have alleged that several protesters including women were detained by the police following demonstrations in parts of Kashmir on Sunday and Monday.In a post on X, PDP chief and former J&K chief minister Mehbooba Mufti appealed to the director general of J&K police to release the detained protesters.“In light of worrying reports of women protestors detained across Kashmir for expressing solidarity over the martyrdom of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, I urge DGP @JmuKmrPolice to issue immediate orders for their release. This is a time of mourning for us [and] the situation must be handled with compassion and sensitivity,” she wrote.Abrar Rashid, Awami Ittehad Party leader and son of Baramulla MP Sheikh Abdul Rashid a.k.a. Engineer Rashid, posted on X: “I unequivocally condemn the heavy-handed crackdown and detentions targeting peaceful mourners including women. They are not agitators, they are grieving hearts. Is this your Naya Kashmir where we are not even allowed to mourn?”Breaking his silence on the situation in West Asia, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday denounced the US and Israel for assassinating the head of a sovereign country while appealing residents of Kashmir to grieve peacefully. Breaking his silence on the situation in West Asia, chief minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday denounced the US and Israel for assassinating the head of a sovereign country while appealing residents of Kashmir to grieve peacefully. It may be noted that India has not officially condemned Khamenei’s assassination, with opposition parties questioning Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s silence on the matter.J&K education minister Sakina Itoo announced that the educational institutions across Kashmir valley will remain closed till March 7. Earlier, she had said that these institutions would open on Wednesday in eight out of ten districts of Kashmir.Social media accounts withheldMeanwhile, the Cyber Police in Srinagar filed a case against unidentified “news channels, media outlets and individuals across electronic and social media platforms” for “inciting unrest, disturbing public order and creating disharmony,” a police spokesperson said.The spokesperson said that these individuals and outlets circulated “false, fabricated and misleading information … to spread distorted narratives and unverified content” which posed “a grave threat to peace, security, and the integrity of the nation”.“Acting firmly, Srinagar Police has registered FIR No. 01/2026 at Cyber Police Station under relevant legal provisions. Several Profiles have been identified, and concerned individuals have been summoned to the Cyber Cell. Investigation is actively underway, and strict legal action will follow against anyone found involved,” the spokesperson said in a statement.Without taking names, the spokesperson accused “some prominent individuals” of “making attempts to provoke activities that may disturb peace and public order”.“All such actions are under close watch, and necessary measures are being taken. Srinagar Police issues a clear warning that spreading fake news, inflammatory content, or unverified information will invite stringent legal consequences,” the statement said.Meanwhile, several social media users, including some news outlets, received notifications from Facebook and Instagram on Monday that their accounts have been withheld in India “pursuant to a notice from The Government of India/Law Enforcement under Section 79(3)(b) of the Information Technology Act, 2000”.It was not immediately clear whether these restrictions are related to their coverage of the ongoing protests in Kashmir or the case filed by Cyber police in Srinagar. While the number of accounts withheld is not clear, some outlets such as Kashmir Life, a reputed weekly, and The Voice of J&K, have come out publicly on the issue. Mufti in a post on X also questioned if Greater Kashmir and Rising Kashmir were being censored by the government.At a time when people are grieving and showing solidarity with Iran, why is the government censoring @GreaterKashmir, @KashmirLife, and @RisingKashmir? Authorities must reverse these actions and uphold press freedom and democratic rights.Platforms like @Meta, @Facebook, and…— Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) March 3, 2026