Opposition criticizes Modi over Iran crisis

Curbs were in place in parts of Srinagar, in India-administered Kashmir, after protests erupted over the killing of Iran’s supreme leader and Shiite cleric Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Indian media reports said on Monday.

Police fired tear gas to disperse thousands of demonstrators protesting in the city for a second straight day.

The protesters clashed with security forces when they were stopped from marching to the main square in Srinagar, news agency AFP reported. 

Meanwhile, mobile internet speeds have been restricted as part of what officials call a “precautionary measure” to maintain law and order in the region. News agency PTI reported.

Schools and colleges have been ordered to close for two days, reports said.

On Sunday, protesters mourning Khamenei’s death gathered on the streets of Srinagar.

Demonstrators were seen holding red, black, and yellow flags, along with photos of Khamenei at Srinagar’s iconic square of Lal Chowk.

Protests were also held outside the headquarters of the United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP), news agency ANI reported.

Chief Minister of the Jammu and Kashmir state, Omar Abdullah, called for calm following the demonstrations.

“We must also ensure that those who are mourning in Jammu and Kashmir are allowed to grieve peacefully. The police and administration should exercise utmost restraint and refrain from using force or restrictive measures,” he said.

Shiite Muslims across India are mourning Khamenei’s death.

The Iranian leader’s supporters also demonstrated in Lucknow, the capital of India’s most populous Uttar Pradesh state, New Delhi, Bihar, Jharkhand and Telangana.

Most of India’s Muslims belong to the Sunni sect, while Shiite make up around 15% of the country’s Muslim population.