Normal life in Kashmir remained disrupted for the fifth straight day as authorities continued partial restrictions on the movement of people as a precaution. The curbs were introduced on Monday after spontaneous protests erupted across the valley a day earlier following the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in joint strikes carried out by the United States and Israel.

On Wednesday, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah met with civil society members and religious leaders in an effort to restore normalcy in the region. After the meeting, he urged people to remain peaceful while expressing their grief and anger at mosques, shrines, and Imambaras. The government has ordered educational institutions to remain closed until Saturday and has also reduced mobile internet speeds. Officials said restrictions on public movement and gatherings were still in place in several areas of Kashmir on Thursday.

A heavy deployment of police and paramilitary CRPF personnel has been made across the city to prevent protest gatherings. Authorities also placed concertina wire and barricades at major intersections leading into the city, stating that the measures were taken to maintain law and order. The well known Ghanta Ghar clock tower in Lal Chowk remains sealed off after authorities barricaded the area late Sunday night.

The decision to block access to the landmark came after large protests were held there on Sunday following Khamenei’s assassination in the joint air strikes by the United States and Israel. This marks the first time since the revocation of Article 370 in August 2019 that Kashmir has witnessed protests of such a large scale.