Srinagar, Sep 13 : A day after J&K administration claimed that entire Kashmir was restriction free, the authorities on Friday imposed strict curbs in downtown parts while as no congregational Friday prayers were allowed at historic Jamia Masjid for the 6th consecutive Friday.
Top separatist and mainstream leaders that include Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Farooq Abdullah, Omar Abdullah, Mehbooba Mufti and many others continued to remain caged for the 40th day in a row.
According to wire service—authorizes on early Friday morning, placed pools of concertina wires on major road links in downtown Srinagar that include Nowhatta, Khanyar, Rainawari, FatehKadal and other adjoining areas.
“Early morning, security forces personnel were deployed at length in downtown parts and they enforced strict curfew like curbs. The main entrance gate of historic Jamia Masjid was sealed and no- body was allowed to proceed towards the grand Masjid,” Irshad Ahmed, a resident of Nowhatta told.
Many other residents expressed similar views stating that their religious sentiments stand hurt badly as Jamia Masjid is the spiritual epicenter of thousands of Kashmiri’s who come from far off places to offer prayers there.
Meanwhile, the authorities allowed prayers at Hazratbal shrine, and other revered shrines of Kashmir besides other major mosques even as curbs were confined to downtown parts only. Reliable sources said that the authorities decided to cage the separatist and the mainstream leaders for the 40th straight day post abrogation of Article 370 on August 5.
Top separatist leaders that include Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and others while as top leaders from the mainstream leaders that include Farooq Abdullah, Omar Abdullah, Mehbooba Mufti, Naeem Akther, Hakeem Yasin and others continued to remain either under house detention or in sub-jail Centaur.
Kashmir has been under tight grip of clampdown imposed by the Centre on August 5. Today, the shutdown in Kashmir continued for 40th straight day as normal life remained crippled with schools open minus students and public traffic off the roads. The mobile phone and internet services also continue to remain barred across the Valley for the 40th straight day barring two police districts of Handwara and Kupwara. Train services also remain suspended for the sixth straight week.
Meanwhile, in Soura-Anchaar area on the city outskirts, where post Friday prayers, people took to streets and stage massive protests. Witnesses told KNO that as the protestors marched towards Sourachowk, they were intercepted by the security forces, who fired tear gas shells and pellets resulting in the injuries to several protestors. An eye-witness said three youth were injured in clashes. (KNO)
