Soon after the speech, hundreds of Kashmiris came out of their homes, shouting slogans in support of Khan late on Friday night and calling for the independence of Kashmir. On Saturday, police vans fitted with speakers made public announcements in some parts of held Srinagar about movement restrictions, while additional troops were deployed to prevent protests, according to officials and two witnesses.
The troops also blocked access to the main business centre of Srinagar with razor wire. "This was necessitated after protests across Srinagar city last night soon after Imran Khan's speech," said a police official, who declined to be identified.
India's crackdown as it revoked Kashmir's special status was accompanied by severe restrictions on movement, as well as disconnection of telephone services. Though New Delhi has eased some of the movement curbs, no prominent detainees have been freed and mobile and internet connections remain suspended.
In some areas in held Kashmir - including the Soura region near Srinagar which has witnessed protests in the past against India's decision - people clashed with security forces by pelting stones on Friday night, forcing police to use tear gas to disperse them, said the Indian official.